Montepulciano (Italy) - Churches

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Lightbox (122) Tags: architecture   churches   europe   italy   montepulciano   tuscany Posted: Feb. 3, 2011 by Bysilot

On this page I would like to give you an idea about Montepulciano churches. There are not many of them (after all, Montepulciano is small town with population of slightly more than 14,000). But all of them are among major landmarks of the town.

Duomo di Montepulciano (Cathedral of Montepulciano)

The cathedral was built between 1594 and 1680 and consecrated in 1712. It is standing on the site of the old Church of Santa Maria. The only surviving remnants of the ancient church are massive blocks of travertine and bricks in bell tower built in the third quarter of the 15th century by Jacomo and Checco di Meo da Settignano.

The church is built in Florentine architectural style characterized by austere and elegant lines. The floor plan of the church represents a Latin cross divided into three aisles. In the central nave, there is a dome supported by the drum resting on horizontal beams and columns. The aisles are covered by cross vaults with open barrel-vaulted chapels. The large organ located on the semicircular choir apse was opened in 1839.

The church is decorated with a large number of works of art taken from old Church of Santa Maria and other churches Montepulciano. Among them:

  • Monumental triptych of the Assumption, painted by Taddeo di Bartolo in 1401, which stands on the high altar
  • 15th century small painting on wood called Lady of the Pillar, by Sano di Pietro
  • 14th century baptismal font attributed to Tino Camaino
  • Wooden statue of the Angel of the Annunciation and Virgin of the Annunciation, the work of Valdambrino Francis

Duomo (Cathedral) on piazza Grande (Montepulciano, Italy). Duomo was built on the site of the ancient church of Santa Maria between 1592 and 1630 and was designed by Ippolito Barefoot. Duomo was restored in 1988.

Inside Duomo (Montepulciano, Italy) - The floor plan of the church has a Latin cross shape. The space is divided into three aisles. The central nave has a barrel shape vault supported by pillars connecting the aisles.

Inside Duomo (Montepulciano, Italy). On this photo you can see cross vaults and open barrel-vaulted chapels. The Cathedral is decorated with a large number of works of art.

Among many works of art is the monumental triptych of the Assumption (Trittico dell'Assunta), painted by Taddeo di Bartolo (1362-1422) in 1401 which stands on the high altar.

Triptych of the Assumption - Virgin Mary (center) overlooks the Apostles (left and right). Top center - Coronation of the Virgin, left and right Archangel Gabriel and the Annunciation.

Inside Duomo (Montepulciano, Italy) - interior decoration detail.

Inside Duomo (Montepulciano, Italy) - paintings and sculptures in one of the chapels.

Inside Duomo (Montepulciano, Italy) - interior decoration detail.

Chiesa di San Biagio or Tempio di San Biagio (The Sanctuary of San Biagio)

The church was built on the site of an early Christian church dedicated to St. Mary. At the beginning of 16th century only a few ruins remained of the old church. The ambitious project for a new church was supported by Pope Leo X who had been educated by Agnolo Poliziano, a native of Montepulciano. Many scholars view this late-Renaissance church as the result of Renaissance refinement of the traditional Greek cross floor plan used in places of Catholic worship. The church was built by Antonio da Sangallo the Elder who modeled it after the basilica of Santa Maria delle Carceri in Prato designed by his brother Giuliano da Sangallo. The design originates from the works of Filippo Brunelleschi and Michelangelo Buonarroti. The construction of the temple began in 1518 and lasted until 1580. The curch was consecrated in 1739.

Among the works of art in the chuch is the fresco of the Madonna and Child with St. Francis (the Sienese work of the 14th century), one of few piece remaining from the old church of St. Mary.

Chiesa di San Biagio or Tempio di San Biagio (The Sanctuary of San Biagio) as seen from Montepulciano is located at the foot of the Montepulciano hill. The construction of the church started in 1518. It was consecrated in 1739.

Via di San Biagio - Chiesa di San Biagio is in the background.

Chiesa di San Biagio viewed from viale della Rimembranza (from the south)

Chiesa (Il Tempio) di San Biagio was designed by Antonio da Sangallo il Vecchio (1455 - 1534), a well know Italian architect. The church was built between 1518 and 1545 on the ruins of the ancient church of San Biagio.

The back of the Tempio di San Biagio (Montepulciano, Italy). The apse part of the church is on the right.

Inside the Chiesa di San Biagio (Montepulciano, Italy) - it has the floor plan similar to a Greek cross with a semicircular apse.

A priest inside the Chiesa di San Biagio (Montepulciano, Italy)

Inside the Chiesa di San Biagio (Montepulciano, Italy) - the dome is located in the center of the church and is sitting on a terrace and supported by a structure in a traditional drum shape.

Chiesa di San Biagio (Montepulciano, Italy) has the system of arches set up on pillars built into walls. Below are lateral altars.

Chandelier in Chiesa di San Biagio (Montepulciano, Italy).

People are gathering for a nuptial mass (service) at Chiesa di San Biagio (Montepulciano, Italy).

  

Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Servi

The Church of Santa Maria dei Servi was originally built in 14th century in Gothic style. The interior has a single nave, rebuilt between the late 17th and early 18th century: the work began in 1701, and ended in 1712. Andrea Pozzo (1642 - 1709) created the interior design in elegant baroque style. The collection of art includes a fresco of the Madonna of Savory, the Sienese school of the fourteenth century, a Madonna and Child, attributed to the school of Duccio (see picture below) and the fresco of Crucifix.

Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Servi (Montepulciano, Italy) with its Gothic facade in 14th century style.

Inside Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Servi (Montepulciano, Italy). The church is designed with only one nave restructured between the end of the 17th and the beginning of 18th centuries. Andrea Pozzo (1642 - 1709) created the interior design in elegant baroque style.

Madonna col Bambino (Madonna with the Child) by Duccio da Boninsegna (1260-1318) on wood (small icon in the middle of the fresco) in Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Servi (Church of Saint Maria of the Servants)

  

Chiesa di Sant'Agostino (Church of St. Augustine)

The Church of St. Augustine is the oldest standing church structure in Montepulciano. Based on historic documents, the construction work began in 1285. According to the same documents, the church was significantly restructured in 15th century under the supervision of Michelozzo di Bartolomeo. This effort was largely completed by 1440 (with the exception of the top part of the facade). There are evidences that Antonio da Sangallo the Elder could have been involved in early 16th century works to finish the church. Anyway, the restoration carried out in 1784-1791 have changed significantly the original structure with only aisle remaining.

Among things to enjoy while visiting the Church of St. Augustine is the beautiful high relief above the entrance representing the Madonna with St. John the Baptist and St. Augustine. The high relief was created in terracotta by Michelozzo.

Chiesa di Sant'Agostino (Church of St. Augustine, Montepulciano, Italy). Founded in 1285, it was completely renovated in 15th century with Michelozzo di Bartolomeo (1396-1472) responsible for the lower part of the facade.

Church of St. Augustine (Montepulciano, Italy) at night. The upper part of facade was restored in late 18th century.

The beautiful high relief above the entrance of the Church of St. Augustine (Montepulciano, Italy) represents the Madonna with St. John the Baptist and St. Augustine created in terracotta by Michelozzo

Inside the Church of St. Augustine, Montepulciano, Italy. The interior, with a nave, was rebuilt in 1784-1791 by removing the side arms of the cross and shortening the apse.

Chiesa del Gesù (Church of Jesus)

The Church of Jesus is one of those cases where appearances may be deceiving. Indeed, looking at its less than impressive facade, it is difficult to imagine the depth of the church and the magnificence of its design. The construction of the Church of Jesus begnn in 1691 by Giovan Battista Origoni (Milanese architect) in the Baroque style. Soon after that the design was modified by Andrea Pozzo. The church was completed in 1712 by Sebastiano Cipriani, a Sienese architect. Frescos inside the dome were painted by Antonio Colli, a student of Andrea Pozzo.

Chiesa del Gesù (Church of Jesus - Montepulciano, Italy) on via di Voltaia nel Corso.

Inside Chiesa del Gesù (Church of Jesus - Montepulciano, Italy). The construction of the church was started in 1691 in Baroque style, but the design was modified later by Andrea Pozzo (1642-1709). The construction was finished in 1712.

Frescos inside the dome of Chiesa del Gesù (Church of Jesus - Montepulciano, Italy) were painted by Antonio Colli, a student of Andrea Pozzo.

Chiesa del Gesù (Church of Jesus - Montepulciano, Italy), the main altar.

Part I: Montepulciano (Italy) - Coming to Town
Part II: Montepulciano (Italy) - Churches
Part III: Montepulciano (Italy) - Some Places to Eat

Pages:  1 2 3

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