On our way to Montepulciano, we stopped to visit the Museo Civico Archeologico Di Sarteano, an Etruscan museum.  The Etruscans were ancient people dating back 3,000 years and lived between Florence and Rome.  Women were equal to men in their society, something I could get behind!  It was also a hedonistic society; they enjoyed life to the fullest!

(For all pictures, click on the image to see full screen view.)

The museum, housed in a former 1700’s wine cellar, had a fantastic collection of ceramics, jewelry, weapons, and other artifacts collected by archaeologists.  In most cases, the ceramic bowls and vases had been found in pieces, and then meticulously pieced back together with clay by a team of ten volunteers, over a 25-year period.  If two broken pots were found together, the tiny pieces had to be matched by color and texture, and then put back together like a jigsaw puzzle. 

Following our tour of the museum, we watched these artists in action, piecing together the latest treasures acquired in archaeological digs.  First, however, we got to play with some clay and design our own “treasures” (which we all left behind…).  Not wanting to keep unfired clay (which was sure to end up a mess), I took photos instead.  Coincidentally, when the staff passed out clay stamps to create our works of “art,” the woman handed me one of a dolphin.  How did she know???  It was a perfect match for this dolphin-loving swimmer!

Observing the pottery being pieced back together and touring the museum was fascinating, because these artifacts are all the experts have to go on to understand the Entruscan people.  There is no literature, so the history of their civilization is shrouded in mystery.  The only clues are the weapons, cooking implements, building tools, and other treasures they left behind.

The immaculately preserved medieval town of Montepulciano was our next stop, where we walked the historic street of Via San Gallo and visited Cantina Fattoria della Talosa, a beautiful winery.  Located in the old town, the wine is aged in an underground cellar between two of the oldest buildings of Montepulciano, dating back to the 16th century.  Sixty steps down, we arrived at the cellar 90 feet below the street where we enjoyed tasting five different wines paired with foods of the region.

As with each day on an Overseas Adventure Travels tour, there was time to explore on our own; so, I poked around the streets to take a few photographs.

On our way back down the hill to Pienza, we stopped to see San Biagio, overlooking the Tuscan countryside below.  Built in the early 1500’s the domed church was designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Elder, an Italian architect.

Coming up next:  SOVANA & PITIGLIANO

Note: If small group travel is of interest to you, I highly recommend Overseas Adventure Travel (OAT). Although Bruce and I travel together, they do not charge a single supplement for those who travel on their own. Singles also get their own room at hotels. If you book, you can get $100 off your trip by providing my name and customer number (Elaine Krugman, #3018126) as the person who referred you. I will also get $100 off future travel– a win-win!