Churches and Castles dream Montalcino

The proposed route is a circular type with a few visits that require temporary detours. It may, in the case of qindi cycled, partcheggiare near the starting point, the road crossing over the Fortezza di Montalcino. From here, turn immediately to Sant'Antimo to the road leading to Monte Amiata. The first break occurs after only 2 km to admire the architectural complex "The Greppo" consists of several buildings constructed in different eras. Note a chapel with a beautiful portal topped by a cornice in brick, as the bezel above the moldings and supporting the pediment. It was built in 1720 on commission by Tullio Channels author of a famous "History of Montalcino". After 5 km turn left onto a gravel road and after about 100 m turn right to reach "The Palace", a building dating from the thirteenth century. In the past, the complex was used as Frateria connected S.Antimo Abbey. The tower house with base shoe displays in the upper part, some slots and consists of two buildings with a central courtyard. Back on the road is paved pregue left to arrive shortly after Castelnuovo Abbot. After leaving the village turn left to Monte Amiata and after 1.5 km take on the right, a dirt road leading to The Castle Velona. The Castle was built on a hill which overlooks the valley below Orcia. The historical information on the ancient fortress are quite scarce. We know that in 1208 the Velona ranged between communities of the territory of Montalcino that had to pay a regular fee aa Siena. In 1402 it was bought by the family Accarigi. Occupied by the Florentines, became an important bulwark in the war against the Lords of Siena. Two years later, the fortress was conquered by the Republic of Siena and from this moment The Velona became part of many military garrisons that, under the dominion of Siena, guaranteed the territorial surveillance. The only two towers, one to the other covered with a crenellated roof, are connected together by building lower, which act as walls. The Velona visited, it goes back to Castelnuovo Abbot for moving towards the Abbey S.Antimo. The Abbey stands in solitary Starcia Valley and is one of the most beautiful Cistercian Romanesque style, with clear references to the Lombard models. S.Antimo leaving to return to the village of Castelnuovo Abbot perched on a hill flanked by the river Orcia. It seems that the monks of the S.Antimo have rebuilt on the ruins of a Roman settlement. All this is confirmed by the discovery site of considerable archaeological material, consists of tombstones and fragments of Roman times. After a long rule of the Abbots of S.Antimo, in 1265 became the republic of Siena, in 1360 it surrounded it with walls. Today little remains of the walls, unless it is the gateway to the country. At the center of town, in New Square, we find the Palazzo Piccolomini, built in Renaissance style. Shortly later, we see the Palace of Bishop Bellanti built in the late Renaissance, completely brick. Front of the two buildings, is the parish church of SS.Filippo and James, characterized by some elements in the Romanesque style. Do not forget, finally, the beautiful and vast landscape of the Maremma and Mount Amiata who enjoys taking the ring road of the village. At the end of the bypass, continue left on the road to Sant'Angelo in Colle, who, after a short stretch of tarmac becomes dirt. After about 1 km you reach the farm and salt on destraper reel dating from the eighteenth century. The construction consists of building a semi-circle whose center is the courtyard that is accessed by a single arched opening. Another kilometer path we find the area of ​​"Sixth" where are the remains of settlements from Roman times. In a later period there was erected the church of S. Mary, whose track is located in a document of 650. Drive another two kilometers are on the left, New Lisini House, a fine architectural complex dating back to 1700, where the tower masonry is an expression of the most ancient. Interesting the lodge formed by arches overlooking a courtyard. Taking up the path, you quickly reach the paved road that leads in the Maremma, and turning left, you soon come to St. Angelo in Colle. The village, whose existence and documented by the 714, is located on top of a hill. In 1208, Sant'Angelo in Colle appears among the list of employees towns of Siena, who fortified it in 1265, thus turning them into a border castle. Around 1282 it was awarded as fief to the family Salimbeni and in 1339 became the seat of the second vicarage. At the entrance of the village we find a tower, called the "formwork" and used in the past as a military fortress. This defensive tower in the fourteenth century was part, along a stretch of wall, the granary of the Hospital of St. Maria della Scala. The Grange was an important stop for transhumance of the flocks toward the Maremma. Castle in the large square are the Romanesque church of San Michele Arcangelo. The portal, built with the same travertine S.Antimo of the Abbey, is located on the right side of the building. Next to the church, stands the palace Franceschi. Next, we find the Piazzetta where the Well, on the right side, there is a covered pedestrian and opposite to this the fourteenth century Palazzo Tolomei. The building with two inputs whose portals bear the family crest. Going by the liming there, right, one of the entrances to the village and the church of the Madonna with the facade of stone and brick portal. In addition, the road that outside the walls, you can visit the ancient church of San Pietro. From here, back on the road, turn right to return to Step Montealcino passing from the light off, the highest point of the entire town of Montalcino.