San Biagio, Montepulciano, Renaissance church in Montepulciano, Italy.
San Biagio is a Renaissance church in Montepulciano built with a Greek cross layout, a central dome, and a semicircular apse. The structure was constructed entirely from travertine blocks quarried from Sant'Albino.
Antonio da Sangallo the Elder designed this church in 1518, drawing inspiration from the basilica of Santa Maria delle Carceri in Prato. The design reflected the architectural ideals of the Renaissance period.
The interior walls display arched niches fitted with marble altars, while the main altar holds a 14th-century fresco depicting the Madonna with Child. These devotional elements shape how people experience the space as they move through it.
The church sits on level ground outside the city walls, making it easily accessible with parking available nearby. Clear directional signs from Montepulciano's central square guide visitors straight to the entrance.
Only the left bell tower was completed from the original plan for two identical towers, leaving an asymmetrical facade. This unfinished element remains visibly striking on the exterior and reflects the challenges faced during Renaissance construction projects.
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