Montepulciano: exhibition on the Grand Duchy of the Medici at the Town

Montepulciano: “I Bandi de’ Medici” on display from 28 March to 27 June 2026

The Municipality of Montepulciano opens an exhibition focused on the decrees, provisions and orders issued during the Grand Duchy of the Medici. The launch event is scheduled for Saturday 28 March 2026 at 10:30 in the Town Hall council chamber, followed by further presentation at the Civic Museum at 11:30.

Free admission. The exhibition is installed across rooms on the first floor of the Town Hall and selected spaces in the Civic Museum – Pinacoteca Crociani, and will remain accessible until 27 June 2026 during the venues' normal opening hours.

What the exhibition features

Visitors can view original archival documents and rare books that reveal the administrative and everyday life of the Medici Grand Duchy: criminal regulations, health orders and production rules. The display is complemented by 18th‑century engravings depicting the Grand Dukes, which provide visual context to the documents.

• decrees and provisions concerning major towns such as Florence, Siena and Pisa;
• practical and curious rules from daily life (for example, directives about sowing turnips and penalties for stealing mulberry leaves, vital for sericulture);
• engraved portraits that frame the historical period.

Partners and contributors

The exhibition is the result of collaboration between the Municipality, bibliographic and historical institutions, museums and organizations dedicated to the preservation of historic abbeys and book collections. Local scholars and collectors have also contributed material and expertise.

• Institutional greetings by the mayor and participating bodies;
• presentations and talks by field specialists during the opening.

Practical information

Dates: 28 March – 27 June 2026. Admission: free. Visits are possible during the standard opening hours of the Town Hall and Civic Museum.

For group visits or guided tours, contact the Civic Museum office or the municipal cultural office to arrange schedules and educational activities.