Locanda dell'Amorosa - Itinerary: L'Amorosa - Montalcino - Abbazia di Sant'Antimo

L'Amorosa - Montalcino - Abbazia di Sant'Antimo

Romance, mysticism and a glass of Brunello

Starting in Trequanda you continue to Montisi and then on to San Giovanni d'Asso where you can visit the Castello, (castle) and Museo del Tartufo (truffle museum) and continue to the small Romanesque church of San Pietro in Villore (Saint Peter at Villore). From San Govanni d'Asso continue towards Torrenieri and Montalcino.Small detours along the valley floor road will lengthen the route but are worth it, in order to see Monterongriffoli, and the churches of Pieve a Salti and Pieve di Pava, (which was first mentioned in 714), Vergelle, and Castel Verdelli.

At Torrenieri there is the junction with the ancient Via Cassia, which was once on the route of the renowned Millemiglia car race. Drive for a short stretch on the new Cassia as far as Montalcino, a hill top town rich in history. Here you will find La Fortezza (the fortress), the Palazzo Comunale (town hall), the Museo Civico e Diocesano di Arte Sacra (museum of the town and of religious art), and the Gothic churches of Sant'Agostino (Saint Augustine) and of Sant'Egidio (Saint Egidio).

Next to the fortress, at the junction of five roads, follow the route of the Via Francigena (the ancient pilgrim road from Canterbury to Rome) to Sant'Antimo (Saint Antimo), a Benedictine Abbey that dates as far back as the IX century, rebuilt in 1117.The abbey is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Tuscany.

Visit the nearby village of Castelnuovo dell'Abate and then turn back, or immerse yourself in the countryside of woods, vineyards and olive groves driving, slowly, for a few kilometres. A gravelled road will lead you to Sant'Angelo in Colle from where there is a magnificent view over the lands of the Brunello.The vineyards will accompany your descent to Sant'Angelo Scalo and, if you haven't planned a wine tasting in the wineries of Argiano or of the Tenuta Col d'Orcia, take the road which leads you to Castello di Poggio alle Mura, Camigliano, and Castel Giocondo, all home to some of the most renowned and historical wineries of Tuscan oenology.

Travelling back along on the main road (SP 14), close to the Passo del Lume Spento you will reach Montalcino where there are signs for Sinalunga.

Distances and travelling times by car

  • l'Amorosa - San Giovanni d'Asso: km. 20 - minutes 22
  • San Giovanni d'Asso - Montalcino: km. 18 - minutes 20
  • Montalcino - Sant'Antimo: km. 10,5 - minutes 12
  • Sant'Antimo - Sant'Angelo in Colle: km. 9,7 - minutes 20
  • Sant'Angelo in Colle - Montalcino: km. 23,2 - minutes 33
  • Montalcino - l'Amorosa: km. 38,6 - minutes 43
  • Total itinerary km. 120 - driving time 1:50'