In 1553, local tradition records that the Virgin Mary appeared in a dream to Don Garcia Alvarez de Toledo, commander of the Spanish and Medicean forces besieging Montalcino, persuading him to abandon the siege. Following this event, the building received its current dedication as the church of the Madonna del Soccorso. The site originally developed in 1330 near the medieval gate of Porta al Corniolo around a venerated panel of the Virgin. Initially built as an open chapel, frequent thefts of votive gifts prompted the municipality of Montalcino to enclose the structure into a formal church building in 1333.
What to see
The structure underwent major expansion between 1478 and 1480, reaching completion in 1609. Its exterior facade was designed by architect Francesco Paccagnini in 1794 and finished in 1829. The interior houses Baroque altars containing notable paintings: the Assumption of the Virgin by Vincenzo Tamagni dated 1527, a Crucifixion by Francesco Vanni, and a Holy Family attributed to Sienese artist Stefano Volpi. The church also retains an 1850 pipe organ built by the Agati workshop (opus 380).
Our editors' tip
Take time to observe the altarpieces set into the Baroque altars, particularly Vincenzo Tamagni's 1527 Assumption of the Virgin, alongside the historic 1850 Agati pipe organ.