Tuscany- Montepulciano to Monticchiello

Italian Alleys 8x10 oil

A tour of towns around Tuscany starting with Montepulciano which was one of the biggest and oldest nearby to take a tour. At the top of the hill the city dates back to 1100 and newer additions in the 1300 and 1700's the farther you go down. The shops were wonderful to visit, specializing in one craft or service. Without our guide I think we would have gotten lost as the streets wind in and out and around.

 

Cellars and old excavations

Bells

Walking to the top

The first gate entrance to Montepulciano

Ancestral crest of area families who still compete in wine barrel racing

At the top the oldest part of town

Last stop for lunch the very small village of Monticchiello. May  a couple of hundred residents.

A town of Towers

Gate Entrance

Sculptures commemorating surviving the Nazi occupation

Gnocci with lavender dust

Lunch alfresco with friends of our hosts stopping by

First look-Caper bush flowers

Only one more Italy blog to go.