About halfway, down the main corso, you’ll see the 13th century Church of St Augustine. Starting from Piazza Grande, this is a popular walk that runs the length of the town, ending at the Porta al Prato gateway. St Augustine’s dominates the tiny Piazza Savonarola, with its imposing facade and sweeping staircase. The facade was mostly re-designed by the Medici protégé, Michelozzo in the 15th century. He was kept very busy in Montepulciano as he was also working on the Palazzo Communale in Piazza Grande around the same time. The stairs are a convenient stopping point to sit down and take a break. If your timing is right, you can sit here to watch the Pulcinello character at the top of Pulcinello Tower, striking his bell to mark the hour. The church has always been open when we have walked past and it is worth a quick look. It has a peaceful and pretty interior, which is all whites, creams and gold. Several life-sized wooden painted statues caught my eye. One particularly dramatic statue shows The Seven Sorrows of Mary. A despairing Mary clasps her hands in prayer after the death of her son, Jesus. Seven swords pierce her heart, each one representing the sacrifices and sadnesses she has endured. The church’s main treasure is the large 15th century cross which hangs prominently over the high altar. It is thought to be by Donatello, one of greatest Italian Renaissance sculptors. Entry to the church is free.

Built in 1285, it was rebuilt by the architect Michelozzo, the author of the Palazzo Comunale in Montepulciano, the Palazzo Medici Ricardi in Florence, as well as the successor of the great Bruneleschi in the construction of the Florentine Duomo. The exterior and interior of the church do not correspond to each other in style. The Renaissance facade by Michelozzo is divided by fluted columns, above which niches open on the second level for statues that have not been installed. The interior of the church was rebuilt in the middle of the XVIII century, combining Baroque and classicist styles. There are several works by famous artists inside. On the third altar from the left is the "Crucifixion with Madonna and Magdalene" by Lorenzo di Credi, in the second altar is a gold plaque by Giovanni di Paolo da Siena. In the third altar there is a "Pieta" by Pomarancho. On the main altar is a beautiful polychrome wooden crucifix from 1400, attributed to Donatello.

The architectural structure of this church is amazing. It was clean and felt like the angels were roaming the ceiling while they prayed there. You could tell the Italians valued their Catholic Churches not only spiritually, but physically also. The historic value of this churches is priceless. There are candles available to light for prayers. I couldn’t tell if they serve mass there or not but from my assessment it looked like they do not.