Accessible tourism, Montepulciano’s commitment to inclusive hospitality

Montepulciano is committed to making its artistic, cultural and naturalistic heritage increasingly accessible, with particular attention to the needs of those who encounter difficulties in fully enjoying the beauty of the area. Despite being a city rich in history, with Renaissance buildings and streets of medieval origin that sometimes limit mobility, Montepulciano works constantly to guarantee, with various solutions, an inclusive experience for all visitors.

Accessibility of the main attractions

The Civic Museum, the Municipal Library, the Town Hall and the Fortress are historic buildings that, despite their architectural characteristics, have been made largely accessible. However, for structural reasons, access to the terrace and tower of the Town Hall is not currently possible.

“Montepulciano under your fingers”

A project dedicated to blind and visually impaired visitors has been active since 2016. In the entrance hall of the Town Hall and at the Civic Museum, information sheets are available in Braille code and with enlarged characters to facilitate reading. In addition, the Civic Museum offers the opportunity to explore some works in relief and to consult a volume in Braille dedicated to the archaeology of the Sienese Val di Chiana. In the entrance hall of the Palazzo Comunale, the cards fixed to the tourist reception desk illustrate the characteristics of Piazza Grande and the Cathedral, offering a more inclusive and participatory experience (Contents in Italian only. A multilingual translation is planned.)

Accessible multimedia productions

The commitment to making multimedia content that tells the story of the historical and artistic heritage of Montepulciano accessible is growing. Recent initiatives include:

• An audiovisual journey dedicated to Cosimo I de’ Medici and the relationship between Montepulciano and Florence in the Renaissance, created in 2024 on the occasion of the 450th anniversary of the death of Cosimo I and Giorgio Vasari. The Library portal contains scans of 54 letters sent by the Grand Duke to the Magistracy of Montepulciano between 1537 and 1559, accompanied by theatrical readings, performed by the Compagnia Impluvium, to allow the visually impaired to access this precious historical testimony. (Contents in Italian only).
• A podcast on the Etruscan civilization, entitled “Curiosities, myths and legends about the Etruscans… the librarian answers”, available on all the main listening platforms (Spreaker, Spotify, Amazon Music, ecc.), which offers informative content in audio format for wider use.(Contents in Italian only).

Parcobaleno: an inclusive playground

Parcobaleno was created inside the Regional Nature Reserve of Lake Montepulciano, a playground designed especially for children with disabilities. The park is equipped with swings, carousels and spring games designed for inclusiveness, as well as sensory panels and tables with benches and backrests also accessible to wheelchair users.

Through these initiatives and ongoing work to improve the accessibility of our heritage, Montepulciano confirms its commitment to more accessible and inclusive tourism, so that everyone can enjoy its beauties without barriers.