There is a large list of famous men and women that frequented historical cafés in Italy. Just have a seat at these places, take a coffee or an aperitif and you immediately have the pleasant feeling of jumping back in time, where relics, art works or vintage furniture recall memories of famous personalities intertwining with the historical events of our country. Some became fast food places or boutiques. More than 120 still survive, and we would like to tell and keep these places alive in our memories, which continue pages of history and culture of our Bella Italia with pride and courage. In Tuscany, between the Val di Chiana and Val d’Orcia, a small Borgo called Montepulciano, land of conquer- ors and art lovers, arises. History returns a picture of a locus amaenus, where maritime and hilly landscapes intertwine to give life to a pastel-coloured painting.
In this pearl of Tuscany, a coffee shop between the alleys of town arises in 1868, “Caffè Poliziano”. Well-known cultural gathering in liberty style, Caffè Poliziano en- joys the rep of historical Italian coffee shops, where great Italian writers, such as Carducci and Pirandello used to take a break. The setting one gets into by cross- ing the elegant entrance is the one of a refined place where every single detail has been chosen and selected with carefulness by those who spent their whole energy to offer moments of endless carefreeness.
The sinuous counter, the wall upholstery by William Morris, the wall mirrors and glass decorated with graphical motifs of yore give those who are drinking even just a coffee a further reason to stay. Jewel of the crown of this vintage gem is the large café including a hall boasting panoramic views, where one can taste the forty specialities of tea and infusions, as well as the rigorously hand-made pastries, such as the almond cantuccini. No less are the enogastronomic specialities of the luxurious restaurant.
Moreover, the culinary specialities can be accompanied by the “noble of Montepulciano”, wine impregnated with scents and flavours of the valley, where it has been producing for ages. Caffè Poliziano once again proves to be a real hangout even after years, featuring a unique retro taste, where every client is considered an essential piece of a puzzle made of refinement, class and good taste. Even the great Federico Fellini loved to stop there during his trips to Tuscany, and you never know, maybe Caffè Poliziano was the poetical inspiration of “La dolce vita”, one of the most successful cinematographic works of all times.
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