Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Biagio

Absolutely stunning. This was one of my favorite sites in our 2 week trip of Italy. Great spot for a photo shoot portrait.

In the heart of Tuscany, nestled among the rolling hills and vineyards, lies the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Biagio. This ancient church is perched atop a hill, overlooking the quaint town of Montepulciano, and has been a place of pilgrimage and worship for centuries.

Legend has it that the sanctuary was built in the early 16th century after a shepherd boy had a vision of the Virgin Mary on this very spot. The boy claimed that she appeared to him in a bright light and spoke to him, telling him to build a church in her honor. The shepherd boy, along with the help of the townspeople, constructed the sanctuary, and it has been a sacred place ever since.

As you approach the sanctuary, the first thing you notice is the grand staircase leading up to the entrance. The steps are made of marble and adorned with intricate carvings of angels and saints. At the top of the staircase, two massive wooden doors stand tall, welcoming all who come to visit.

Once inside, the beauty of the sanctuary takes your breath away. The walls are painted in soft pastel colors, and the ceiling is adorned with elaborate frescoes depicting scenes from the Bible. The altar is the centerpiece of the church, with a statue of the Madonna di San Biagio standing proudly in the center. The statue is said to have miraculous healing powers, and many come to pray for loved ones who are sick or in need of help.

The sanctuary is also home to a small chapel, where visitors can light candles and offer prayers. The walls of the chapel are lined with small plaques, each one a testament to a prayer answered. The atmosphere is one of peace and tranquility, and it is easy to see why people come from all over the world to seek solace in this sacred place.

As you wander around the sanctuary, you can't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder. The intricate details of the architecture, the beautiful artwork, and the peaceful atmosphere all come together to create a truly special place. It is no wonder that the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Biagio has become a popular destination for tourists and pilgrims alike.

As the sun sets over the Tuscan countryside, the sanctuary takes on a whole new level of beauty. The warm glow of the setting sun illuminates the church, making it look as if it is glowing from within. It is a sight that will stay with you forever.

The Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Biagio is not just a church; it is a sacred place that holds a special meaning for all who visit. It is a place of peace, hope, and faith, and it will continue to be a beacon of light for generations to come.

Beautiful. Must visit.

Great place to visit in Montepulciano. Better use a car to avoid walking downhill and uphill too much.

Quick stop by on our way to a wine test in Tuscany.

Beautiful site with a great view of the surrounding Orcia Valley

The church celebrate this year the centenary since was built on 1518 on the remain of an Old Church located in elevated position with a beautiful surrounding countryside next to canonical house the place has facade made
with travertino gone gold with the years a big Dome withTower bell next to it the inside 4 big Archers supporting the huge Dome the high Altar made with beautiful marble as in the middle the fresco of Madonna of San biagio

⛪ Nice church inside the nature. Breathtaking view.
The church, which was built between 1518 and 1540, an example of Renaissance Greek cross central plan, was designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Elder, who was inspired by the Basilica of Santa Maria delle Carceri in Prato, which had been designed years before by his brother Giuliano da Sangallo.[1] The same plan, taken from Filippo Brunelleschi's works, was used for the original design by Bramante and Michelangelo for St. Peter's Basilica, as well as for the church of Santa Maria della Consolazione in Todi, of uncertain paternity.

The late Renaissance building was constructed on the site of a pre-existing Palaeochristian pieve dedicated to St. Mary and subsequently to St. Blaise. In the early 16th century only remains existed of the pieve, including a wall with a fresco of Madonna with Child and St. Francis, from a 14th-century Sienese painter. The project was supported by Pope Leo X, who had studied under Angelo Poliziano, a native of Montepulciano.

The construction lasted until 1580 and, after Sangallo's death, was directed by other superintendents.

⛪ Doğanın içinde güzel bir klise. Nefes kesici bir manzarası var.

Such a beautiful church in Montepulciano. The architecture is amazing, and there os the chance to know about it because you can get an audio guide, that explain everything, in many languagues. Nearby there are some cafe's were relax after visiting the church. Very reccommendable.

Wonderful building with a great view. I was pretty shocked, how ignorant and disrespectful some Italians treat their own monuments. Plastic cups and other trash everywhere around on/around this sacred place...this is pretty sad and should be fined.

Beautiful church and must visit if you travel to montepulciano or around Siena.. amazing story.ticket per enter 3.50e per person

Outstanding church.. and the 3.50 Euro entry fee includes an extraordinary audio tour. Well worth it. And if you stand exactly in the center and clap your hands it re-echoes 20 times and only you can hear it.

Stunning architecture inside and out. Beautiful art inside. A must see.

A most beautiful church and God clearly all over.

A beautiful church with easy access and free parking. Worth a stop if you are visiting the area.

Fantastic church, visit it for a small fee with the provided audio-tour

Wonderful masterpiece of Rinascimento art, worth to be visited and read the history and listen to voice guide.

What a beauty is this cathedral! We also met a lovely cat nearby

Very nice church down Montepulciano. Worth the entrance ticket, and good audio guide.

very nice place to visit. it's also worth taking the tour inside. I would advise downloading the tour, not streaming it because of the bad mobile service inside. remember to clap in the middle of the church