The first place of worship in Montalcino, dedicated to the Santissimo Salvatore, was the Romanesque parish church of the same name, dating back to the 11th century. It was elevated to the rank of cathedral of the diocese of Montalcino when the latter was founded on 13 August 1462 by Pope Pius II. The old church was demolished and completely rebuilt between 1817 and 1834 in neoclassical style, designed by the architect Agostino Fantastici.
The chapel of the Madonna di Vitaleta probably dates back to the late Renaissance, since it is first mentioned in a document of 1590. The chapel was restored by the architect Giuseppe Partini in 1884, taking inspiration from 16th-century models. Today the church is privately owned.
The cathedral of Pienza was designed to fit dramatically into the city's main square, Piazza Pio II, and was built at the behest of Pope Pius II Piccolomini between 1459 and 1462 by Bernardo Rossellino during the restructuring of the city.
The Church of San Biagio, designed by Antonio da Sangallo the Elder, is an example of 16th century Tuscan Renaissance architecture. The church was built on the site of an ancient parish church of early Christian origin, whose fresco of the Madonna and Child with St. Francis attracted many pilgrims. The construction of the present church began in 1518 and lasted until 1545.
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