The town of Montalcino is the homeland of Brunello, one of the most famous red wines the world. Located in the province of Siena, at an altitude of 567 meters above sea level and has a population of about 5,000 inhabitants. Inside you can see the Palace and the Episcopal Church of St. Augustine and St. Francis, both of the thirteenth century.
Since many archaeological finds it was established that the first significant human settlements near Montalcino go back to etruscan. You can see some of these precious finds Museums units within the city. Nell'814 the territory of Montalcino is sold dall'Imperatore Ludovico Pius to the monastery of Saint, whose abbots assume from then on the title of Counts Palatini and advisers, with the ball not only spiritual but also political and the administrative. However, the development of Montalcino up to a substantial population and a significant happening around the tenth century.
Around 935 the arrival of several refugees from Maremma greatly increases the population of the area. These inhabitants of Maremma coast fleeing from pirates Saracens, who establish themselves in the hill Ilcinese. In the century the territory acquires further prosperity thanks to the development and consolidation of agriculture and handicrafts. Among them flourish producing ceramics, shoemaking, tanning and processing wool, and wood.
In 1110 the Siena make Montalcino one of the most impressive of their strongholds Republic, built around the citadel a wide circle of walls. The small town must wait nearly a century to regain its independence and its authority, for esettezza riottenute in 1202. All this leads Siena want to regain again, cingendola siege and earning a part of its territory with an agreement signed in 1212. The city still regain his freedom in 1252, while building an alliance with the Florentines, but the outcome of the battle of Montaperti, won by Siena in 1260, back below the domain of the city of Palio.
The nature autonomista of montalcinesi not reappear late however, when in 1355 rebel to the Emperor Charles V, refusing to hand over the country and preferring, this time voluntarily, riannettersi in Siena. In 1462, finally, he earned Montalcino municipal status and is also nominated diocese by Pope Pius II. The last bloody event that marks the history of this city is the siege of the Spanish troops and Medici half of the sixteenth century, which took place throughout the area of Siena. After having defended their homes for eighty days, montalcinesi hosting many refugees Siena, which together make up the Republic of Siena and Montalcino.
The small state must surrender to the Spaniards, however, when in 1559, with the Treaty of Cateau-Cambre';sis is enshrined its surrender to the troops Iberian. In the eighteenth century the town of Montalcino, becoming part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, took its current size.