Montalcino

Montalcino probably got its name from the ilex woods which once covered the territory west of this commune ('Mons-Ilcinus', from the Latin 'Ilex' - 'leccio' in Italian). The surrounding countryside is now dedicated to the production of wine and is acclaimed throughout the world for the red Brunello wine, the younger Rosso di Montalcino D.O.C, the white Moscatello D.O.C. and the Sant'Antimo D.O.C. There is also a notable production of olive oil and above all, honey, with a week long international honey fair at the beginning of September which covers all aspects of the honey producing industry.

The area was inhabited in the Palaeolithic era as weapons and flints found here have demonstrate and later an Etruscan and Roman settlement grew up here. Documentation from the year 715 and signed by the Lombard king Liutprando, cites the quarrel between the Bishop of Siena and the Bishop of Arezzo over the possession of some parish churches 'Pievi' in the territory of Montalcino.

In 814 the territory was donated to the Abbey of Sant'Antimo by Ludovico il Pio. This Abbey church, situated 9 km. From the town in the direction of Castelnuovo dell'Abate, is one of the most beautiful examples of Romanesque churches in Italy. In 1110 Montalcino became a stronghold of the Republic of Siena, and from this date up until the Renaissance period the town alternated between wealth and tranquillity and battles between Siena and Florence over possession of the territory.

In 1555 Siena finally capitulated to Florence and in 1559 Montalcino became part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Montalcino is completely surrounded by ancient walls and some of the original 19 towers can still be seen, as well as some of the fountains. The impressive fortress, built in the second half of the XVI century is still intact and from its ramparts there are magnificent views across the Val d'Orcia.