After the fall of the Sienese Republic refugees took to this mountain and built a replica Siena, a classic Tuscan hill town. Just like Siena, it even has twice-yearly contests between rival contrade (town districts or ‘wards’) − but here it is archery, not horse racing. At the Palio of Siena (see belw) the bowmen of Montalcino sit in seats of honour.

A short walk from the Palazzo Civico, whose tower resembles the Mangia of Siena, brings you to the Rocca, a ruined stronghold in a park. From its walls you can sometimes see Siena itself.