Duomo di Montepulciano

Montepulciano's cathedral sits at the heart of Piazza Grande, its deliberately unfinished brick facade hiding one of Tuscany's finest artistic surprises: Taddeo di Bartolo's stunning 1401 Assumption triptych. The massive altarpiece dominates the simple interior with brilliant blues and golds, showcasing Sienese Gothic painting at its peak. You'll also find scattered pieces of Michelozzo's Renaissance tomb for Bartolomeo Aragazzi, reassembled throughout the church after being dispersed for centuries.

The contrast hits you immediately when you step inside: the plain brick exterior gives way to soaring white columns and that magnificent altarpiece drawing your eye straight to the altar. The space feels intimate despite its size, with morning light filtering through simple windows to illuminate the artwork. Most visitors spend their time photographing the triptych, but the tomb fragments deserve equal attention, each piece a masterwork of Renaissance sculpture scattered like puzzle pieces around the nave.

Entry is free, which makes this one of the best cultural values in Montepulciano. Skip the audio guide (they don't offer one anyway) and focus your 20 minutes on the altarpiece and hunting down all five pieces of the Aragazzi tomb. Most tourists rush through after a quick photo, but the triptych rewards closer study: look for the detailed expressions in the crowd of apostles. The church closes for lunch from 12:30 to 3:30pm, so time your visit accordingly.