Montemerano is a charming village in the hills of the Tuscan Maremma and has recently been included among the "Most Beautiful Villages in Italy".
The town of Montemerano was born in medieval times, as a possession of the Aldobrandeschi family and is still today one of the most beautiful attractions in Tuscany.
Among the streets of the historic center you can still breathe the medieval atmosphere of the past, narrow alleys and ancient buildings frame a village of great beauty and a panorama that ranges from the countryside to the Maremma hills rich in vineyards and olive groves.
Piazza del Castello is probably the most characteristic and well-known corner of Montemerano, a square surrounded by historic buildings where time seems to have stopped.
The Church of San Giorgio is also very beautiful and certainly worthy of a visit, dedicated to the patron saint of the town, known for its frescoes and its works of art and the medieval city walls.
For some years, the town of Montemerano has housed, in the historic building once the asylum, a stupendous Art History Library, where it is possible to consult almost ten thousand thematic volumes.
All these attractions, the enchanted atmosphere and the many restaurants and wine bars in the town make Montemerano a stop not to be missed on your holiday in the Tuscan Maremma.
Via Italia is the main street in the historic center of Montemerano, it connects two of the ancient access gates of Montemerano, Porta della Canonica and Porta del Ponte, and is the street that leads to the beautiful Piazza del Castello. This street is truly characteristic, paved with stones, and houses some of the main shops and workshops of the village of Montemerano and it is a real pleasure to walk around and admire the windows and the objects on display. The street also hosts one of the excellences of Montemerano and all of the Tuscan Maremma, the famous restaurant, 2 Michelin stars, "From Cain"
Piazza del Castello is one of the most famous places in Montemerano, you will have seen a photo of it many times! And in fact it is also one of the most beautiful and representative places. Contrary to what its name might suggest, you won't find a castle in the square, this was simply the Piazza d'Armi where young knights trained in medieval times... The square is wonderful, arriving from the small slope, through the arch you will see the ancient buildings, all in stone, the square and you will have the impression of being transported back in time!
The Church of San Giorgio, surrounded by the ancient medieval walls, is a beautiful Renaissance church, dating back to the 16th century. Inside, the building is a triumph of Sienese art, including frescoes and paintings of great artistic value. Inside you can admire precious works, including for example a polyptych with the Madonna and Child Enthroned with Saints, attributed to Sano di Pietro, a Renaissance temple and the most famous painting of all Our Lady of the Cat Flap, a 2-metre-long panel, particular because it has a hole in the lower right corner, which according to local stories was made by the priest for a cat to pass through.
The walls surround the entire ancient town of Montemerano, built in medieval times, between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, the structure is imposing and still in excellent condition ... walk up to Via dello Spedale and admire the structure , from here you have a spectacular view of the entire city wall! The walls of Montemerano are characterized by a singular heart shape and are made up of three sections, the first consisting of the oldest part, the second consisting of the walls built to connect the first section to the church and the third, created to surround the new housing.
The feast of San Giorgio is one of the main events taking place in the village of Montemerano. The festival celebrates the patron saint, San Giorgio, to whom the main church of the town is also dedicated. The festival includes a procession in period clothing through the streets of the ancient town of Montemerano, the traditional dragon carousel which sees the three districts of Montemerano face off: Borgo, Croce and Castello, and finally the inevitable launch of the hot air balloon! It is an unmissable event and if you are in the area we advise you not to miss it, it takes place every year in the week of April 25th.
On Halloween night, the village of Montemerano is transformed and becomes the home of witches, sinister characters and ghosts... that's right, the Tuscan village, a splendid example of medieval architecture in Tuscany, is undoubtedly the ideal setting to host the Witches Festival! Cobwebs, ghosts, witches and monsters will make the scariest night of the year even more magical and fun, all seasoned with lots of music, DJ sets and the award ceremony for the scariest mask!
WHAT TO VISIT
EVENTS
MILL FALLS
The Church of San Giorgio in Montemerano is exceptional, a real museum. The polyptych of the altar is simply gorgeous and the rest is just as good. The curiosity is that of the "cat flap" an altarpiece depicting the Madonna that a priest transformed into a cellar door complete with a passage for the house cat. This church alone is worth the trip to Montemerano....
Montemerano: a wonder
Tripadvisor
A few kilometers from Saturnia, a place of thermal relaxation, I visited the ancient town of Montemerano. It is worth visiting the Piazza del Castello but also for all the characteristic alleys that make up the town. Various craft shops that seem frozen in time...
Montemerano: one of the Tuscan wonders
JohnnyTripadvisor
Absolute winner! I have tried various places of the caliber of Cain restaurant but this has taken over as my favourite. Wins over all location, food, staff. It seems to live in an unreal atmosphere...
Ristorante Da Caino - Fantastic
AntonellaTripadvisor
Montemerano is a small village in a pleasant position full of extraordinary views. The church of San Giorgio offers the visitor works of great value (which one would not expect to find in such a small town). Worth the trip....
Authentic Jewel
PamploTripadvisor
After bathing in the thermal water of the Saturnia mill, we decided to visit the nearby village of Montemerano. A very pretty village that has left us speechless, some glimpses seem invented for a film set. The church of S. Giorgio is delightful and full of works of art. The most curious is the Gattaiola: an ancient table with a hole at the bottom to allow the passage of a...... cat!!!! Absolutely to see...
A village and a church out of time
FilippoTripadvisor
I have been several times to the Caino restaurant, in Montemerano, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. I think it deserves 3 Michelin stars because everything is perfect but especially Valeria Piccini's cooking is extraordinary....
Da Caino 3 Stars immediately
BorgognsTripadvisor
Strolling as soon as we arrived in the village we were immediately attracted by the Church of San Giorgio, beautiful and particular inside with all its artistic heritage and which strikes you immediately, as soon as you enter and during the visit you are accompanied by background music and strangely .. .it's the first church I visit and I smell a fresh and not ancient scent ...
Beautiful church in Montemerano
AdoneTripadvisor
... as every top quality restaurant should be... an explosion of the senses with every dish, I've been there several times and it's always the same every time: every course is unique in its kind, impeccable, almost martial service, W Cain!!
Excellent Da Cain - Montemerano
AlessandraTripadvisor