Out & About Montalcino
Surroundings
Tuscan Curiosities
Immerse yourself in the gestures, rhythms, and sounds that embody the essence of Tuscany’s millennial culture.
Surroundings
Castelnuovo dell’Abate
Just a few minutes’ drive from Mastrojanni Relais lies Castelnuovo dell’Abate, a charming medieval village in the municipality of Montalcino, in the beautiful Val d’Orcia. Originating as a fortress for the nearby Abbey of Sant’Antimo, it was built in medieval times on a defensible rocky spur. Don’t miss the Church of Saints Philip and James, a Romanesque building in travertine. Today, the village is vibrant thanks to its historical residents and many young people living there.
Surroundings
The Abbey of Sant’Antimo
A short distance from Castelnuovo dell’Abate stands the Abbey of Sant’Antimo, inhabited over the centuries by Benedictine monks and founded, according to legend, by Emperor Charlemagne. Built in the XII century, it is a masterpiece of medieval architecture and guardian of Benedictine monastic spirituality.
Surroundings
Montalcino
A 15-minute drive from Mastrojanni Relais, Montalcino boasts architectural gems such as the Town Hall, the Civic and Diocesan Museum of Sacred Art, the Churches of Sant’Agostino and Sant’Egidio, the impressive Fortress, and the Palazzo dei Priori. Outside the town center, the surrounding landscape is the cradle of the famous Brunello di Montalcino, made from pure Sangiovese grapes, the first in Italy to have the Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of Origin (DOCG).
Surroundings
Monte Amiata
Monte Amiata, an extinct volcano, offers splendid opportunities both in summer and winter. In the warm months, the numerous trails are perfect for hiking, while in the cold months, ski enthusiasts can enjoy its slopes. For wine lovers, local wineries reveal the unique character of the area.
Surroundings
Seggiano
Among the municipalities of Monte Amiata, Seggiano is the smallest and is located on the top of a hill near the Orcia river. Here, in the 1990s, the artist Daniel Spoerri projected his sculpture park, which today extends over 16 hectares, perfect for walks among grassy spaces, groves, and contemporary installations.
Surroundings
Bagno Vignoni
Bagno Vignoni is a small and romantic village just a 35-minute drive from Mastrojanni Relais. Founded as a thermal center by Pope Pius II Piccolomini, the village is famous for the thermal pool in the center of the main square. Several thermal facilities offer the possibility of complete relaxation day.
Surroundings
Pienza
Pienza, the pearl of the Val d’Orcia, is the perfect expression of Renaissance architecture. Commissioned by Pope Pius II as the ideal city, it offers attractions such as the Duomo in Piazza Pio II, the Church of San Francesco with the adjacent cloister, and the monastery of Sant’Anna in Camprena just outside the village. At sunset, you can’t help but enjoy the magnificent view from the city walls.
Surroundings
Montepulciano
Montepulciano, with its S-shaped historic center enclosed within three circles of XIV century walls, has Etruscan origins dating back to the IV-III centuries BC. Renowned for Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, the area is regulated by DOC provisions, requiring a blend composed of at least 70% Sangiovese.