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RADICOFANI
Perched on the slopes of the Amiata mountain at 760 metres,
Radicofani is located in a strategic position on the top of a hill
and dominates the road Via Francigena and the valleys of Paglia
and Orcia. It was such an important hub for the trade in the Middle
Ages that all the surrounding villages were soon dominated and the
Via Francigena was moved in order to pass the castle.
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The
medieval atmosphere of the village has been preserved intact and you
should not miss a walk around the streets with vaults and arches.
The village of Radicofani was not influenced by the Renaissance. The
Grand Dukes recognised its almost perfect beauty and only built some
villas in the surroundings. The village was respected in modern times
too and the new areas were built around the medieval centre.
The marvellous castle of Radicofani was contended between the
Aldobrandeschi family and the monastery of San Salvatore, in front
of the Emperor Henry IV. The monks won, but Siena, the Emperors and
the Popes soon contended for the castle. In the 13th century the commercial
prosperity of Radicofani grew thanks to the incorporation of the surrounding
villages and the moving of the Via Francigena right under the walls
of the castle. The castle continued to be contended until 1411 when
Siena managed to conquer it. The Fortress was built and the the Via
Francigena dismantled under the Sienese domination. The Fortress is
a defensive complex which comprehends the medieval fortress and the
remains of the boundary wall raised by the Medici family in the 16th
century. Cosimo I de' Medici restructured the damaged fortress built
by the Sienese when Radicofani became part of the Gran Duchy of Tuscany.
The following administrations did not bother much about the architectonic
beauties of the village as the Radicofani had lost its strategic importance.
At Radicofani you have to visit the Chiesa di Sant'Agata, with
its Gothic façade modified in the 18th century and a altar-piece
attributed to Andrea della Robbia. Also visit the Chiesa di San Pietro,
one of the most beautiful examples of Romanesque-Gothic architecture
in the whole Amiata. A nice excursion tot he surroundings of Radicofani
brings you to the village of Contignano, perched on a hill which dominates
the valleys Orcia and Frosone. The village , which presumably dates
back to the 14th century , has a unique oval structure. The excellent
conservation of the centre, from the tower and the walls of the castle,
makes Contignano one of the most beloved destinations for those who
want to breathe the atmosphere of the past. |
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