All the unmissable summer events in Montepulciano (and surroundings)

The most renowned is certainly the Bravio delle Botti, the challenge between the eight districts of Montepulciano of which we have already spoken, and which repeats every year with a series of events in the week between 17th and 25th August, the race day. But there are many events not to be missed, in the summer, in Montepulciano, and throughout the Val d’Orcia.

A summer of musical events in Val d’Orcia

There are many festivals, concerts and evenings dedicated to music both in Montepulciano and in the surrounding area already from June. Starting on Thursday 20th with Torrita Blues Festival which this year blows put 30 candles and, for the occasion, brings famous groups of the national and international blues scene to Torrita di Siena, a few kilometers from Montepulciano.

In the hamlet of Abbadia di Montepulciano also returns the Konca Music Fest which, from June 27th to 30th, will see live music, a flea market, food stands, and street art filling the gardens for four very rich evenings.

Finally, the Chianciano Terme da vivere offers 39 shows until October, with great guests including, just to name a few, the Livorno-born artist Nada on 5th July and the Grupo Compay Segundo of the Buena Vista Social Club on Sunday 28th July. There will be shows at the Teatro Caos, the music of the local orchestras in the city parks and that of the International Music Masterclasses Opera Concert in the Sala Nervi, as well as many other events from morning to night.

Don’t miss history, art and tradition in Montepulciano

A very important event of this summer 2019 is certainly the exhibition dedicated to “Leonardo in Val di Chiana. The design of the territory and the science of water“. The work of the Maestro da Vinci as a cartographer will be hosted inside the Fortezza di Montepulciano until September 8th with some of the maps he made, including the Val di Chiana map dating back to 1502-1503, when Leonardo was at the service of Cesare Borgia.

Among the organizers of this special exhibition is the Cantiere Internazionale dell’Arte which reaches its 44th edition with a program of unmissable events in the most beautiful places of Montepulciano from 12th to 28th July. The theme Love Passion Madness that inspired the festival this year will be told to the public with symphonic concerts, opera, musicals, readings, musical theater, dance, and cinema.

Tastings underneath the summer sky

There will be plenty of opportunities to taste the DOC and DOCG wines typical of this area with the Jazz & Wine evenings at the Fortezza di Montalcino from 9th to 14th July. A first taste will be with the music of the Sebastien Chaumont Set at Waiting for Jazz & Wine on July 2nd at Castello Banfi.

Lastly, Saturday 10th August, the day when the Perseids fill the sky with luminous trails and desires, the event Calici di Stelle (Chalices of Stars) in Montepulciano will be the perfect setting to admire the shooting stars during the itinerant tasting of local wines, open to all, through the districts of the city.