UK Toll Free: 0 800 047 0248
International: +41 91 220 0567
Italy: +39 089 842 6126
Email: info@summerinitaly.com
|
|
USA & Canada Toll Free: 1 800 509 8194 UK Toll Free: 0 800 047 0248 International: +41 91 220 0567 Italy: +39 089 842 6126 Email: info@summerinitaly.com |
 |
 MontefollonicoNot far from Torrita di Siena, set on top of a hill between Valdichiana and Val d'Orcia lies Montefollonico, typical isolated Medieval hamlet surrounded by thirteenth-century walls of fired bricks. Narrow and winding alleys, short and rustic houses characterize this place and make it an authentic and genuine Tuscan glimpse. In ancient times it used to be called Monte a Fullonico. The Romans called "fullones" people that worked the cloths: the toponym seems to mean "place of cloth workers", maybe coming from the first human nucleus who settled near the Conventaccio (Benedictine Monks Abbey in the VIII century), that worked and dyed the wool. Before the year 1000 the area around Montefollonico belonged to the powerful Ardinughi family, that built a fortress on a high and well defensible position, ideal to locate the Palazzo del Contado, along with the houses of artisans and soldiers. Montefollonico grew up between the XII and the XIII century: the first historical document that testified its presence dates back to 1202. According to the local chronicle, in 1229 Montepulciano attacked the village, devastated houses and harvests, sacking even all the linen in town. The troops from Orvieto, in 1234, sacked the hamlet as well as the Abbey of St Mary. At that point the Republic of Siena decided to fortify the walls of Montefollonico, which was a strategic point of its defence system. The Castle was hold by a imposing walled perimeter with three gates: Porta di Follonica, Porta del Triano and Porta del Pianello. As time goes by, thanks to that important position, the hamlet extended its name to the whole surrounding area, and becoming a crucial point of the Republic of Siena, in terms of both political and economic advantages. The strategic border position caused frequent attacks: in 1266 the Guelphs coming out of Siena took possession of Montefollonico, but in 1268 Charles of Anjou took it away from the Senese's rule and gave it to Donosdeo Tolomei as feud. Siena re-conquered the village in 1271 and made several wall fortifications until 1300. In 1543, Montefollonico surrendered to the Imperial army of Charles V and became part of the Medicean rule. The current village has extended even outside the walls, but still preserves the original charm! Local eventsMay: Palio dei Somari folkloric donkey ride where the eight quarters of the village compete in costume. de corteo storico in costume June: Festa al Capannone in honour of the Patron Saint St Macario. You will attend an evoking procession and horse ride. Summer: Estate Torritese with concerts, exhibitions and numerous thrilling events. December: painting and sculpture exhibitions at the Biblioteca Comunale and enchanting living crib.
You might also be interested in reading about the following Montefollonico topics:
Other towns in the area: Florence, Arezzo, Pisa, Siena, Cortona, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Pienza, Pistoia, San Gimignano, San Miniato, Castiglion Fiorentino, Certaldo, Chianciano Terme, Empoli, Lucca, Asciano, Badia Agnano, Barberino Val d'Elsa, Bucine, Castelfiorentino, Castiglioncello, Cetona, Civitella della Chiana, Figline Valdarno, Foiano della Chiana, Greve in Chianti, Lucignano, Marciano della Chiana, Montaione, Monte San Savino, Montecatini-Terme, Monteriggioni, Rigomagno, Rosignano Solvay, San Casciano dei Bagni, San Casciano in Val di Pesa, Sarteano, Sinalunga, Torrita di Siena, Trequanda, Volterra, Casole d'Elsa, Castelnuovo Berardenga , Chiusi, Colle di Val d'Elsa, Gambassi Terme, Panzano in Chianti, Pitigliano, Poppi, Rignano sull'Arno, San Baronto, San Quirico d'Orcia, Scandicci, Sorano, Castellina in Chianti, Ghizzano, Lamporecchio, Laterina , Molazzana, Montisi, Pieve Fosciana, Poggibonsi, Porciano, Vagliagli, Badia a Ruoti, Gaiole in Chianti, Empoli, Nievole, Pozzo della Chiana |
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Your recently visited:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Home | Travel Guide | Travel Tips | Contact Us
All kind of questions and suggestions are welcome: info@summerinitaly.com. Copyright © 2001-2010 Summer In Italy. All rights reserved. |
