Pozzo dei Grifi e dei Leoni

The Well of the Griffins and Lions stands between two palaces in Montepulciano's Piazza Grande. Its carved heraldic figures and Medici arms turn a civic water source into a Renaissance monument.

Why it matters

The well reflects Montepulciano's political ties to Florence during the Renaissance. The Medici coat of arms dominates its architrave, while the griffins refer to the town's own heraldic identity. Its central position has made it one of the recognisable features of the piazza.

What to notice

The structure stands between Palazzo dei Nobili Tarugi and Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo. Lions crown the well and hold the Medici arms with six balls; the reverse displays a Florentine lily between the figures. The combination of sculpted heraldry and a working well gives the monument both civic and practical character.

Context and history

The well was built in 1520 and is attributed to Antonio da Sangallo the Elder, who was then working in Montepulciano. It was designed to draw water, rather than to function as a fountain. Its place in Piazza Grande links the town's public water supply with the Renaissance architecture surrounding it.