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Radicofani was one
of the most important strongholds in Italy for centuries. Besides
the via Cassia, it controlled the border between Latium, Umbria and
Tuscany (thus swinging between the power of Siena, Grosseto,
Perugia and Viterbo).
The Rocca
(Old Citadel) is seen ten kilometres away with its
domineering position over the medieval suburb a quadrangular embattled
tower surrounded by more recent fortesses, is all that remains of the
original building. Everything -nevertheless- is a modern recostrution
with a medieval form. It was built in 1200 A.D.,
rebuilt in 1565 and destroyed in 1700. You will enjoy a wanderful view
up there: the landscape, which is dominated by Mount Amiata to
the west, overlooking the Chiana Valley and Umbria, is rich
in detail, including Lake Bolsena and the Central Appennines on a
clear day. Before going down to the village, it is worth taking a walk
in the pine-wood surrounding the citadel, which requires attention for
the presence of arches, wells and vaults half hidden among the
vegetation.
Instead of driving up to the fortress, you
can walk there in 20 minutes. The village is worth a careful visit.
The most meaningful monument is the Romanesque church of St. Peter,
dating back to the XIII century. It was
damaged in the second world war and then restored in 1946. The inside,
with its low gothic arches preserves a wonderful collection of
“terracotta” by “Della Robbia” and wooden statues among which a
beautiful “ Madonna col Bambino” by Francesco di Valdambrino. Behind
the Church is a large square– the view you can enjoy from here may be
compared to that enjoyed from the Rocca.
Along the main street, the Church of
St. Agatha, the patron Saint of Radicofani, presents a big
altar-frontal (dossal) by Andrea della Robbia and a more recent wooden
statue in the sacristy. The Palazzo Pretorio is another monument worth
mentioning. Now used as a school, it is an impressive building with
numerous old stone coats of arms in its façade. Along the old Via
Cassia is the Post Palace, a beautiful Medicean Villa, which
originnally a hunting house for Ferdinando I, was then trasformed into
a hotel and customs-house for travellers. Among the various guests,
François Montaigne, Charles Dickens,Pope Pius II and Pius VII
stayed there during their journeys.Opposite the Villa, there
is a beautiful stone fountain dominated by a big Medicean coat of
arms.
From Radicofani instead of
immediately going down to the Via Cassia, it is worth going north
along the route which follows the crest between the Orcia
and the Formone a mountain stream. All the route offers
wonderful views over Mount Amiata, which has a characteristic
trapezoidal profile. After the ella delle Conie, turning right, the
road runs along a wonderful series of calanques, which alternate with
grass plains and deep gorges. Spring the blooming time is undoubtedly
the most suitable season to enjoy the panorama. You can also cycle
there this is in fact one of the most suitable routes for bike
touring up to Contignano. Once a property of the
Salimbeni, the village went under the rule of Siena in 1400. Besides
the ruins of the old walls and the tower, it is worth visiting the
Paridh Church of St. Maria Assunta, in the 18th-century style.
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