Castelfiorentino - Far back
in 1149 the name of Castelfiorentino was given to a castle
erected along "Via Francigena" (the road used by
pilgrims and waifarers, in the Middle Ages, on their way to
Rome from the north of Europe), on the site where the Roman
settlement of Timignano once stood.
Enclosed within the fortified castle,
set upon a hilltop, was the parish church of Sant' Ippolito
(the ancient parish of San Biagio); erected within a second
ring of the walls were Borgo d'Elsa and Borgo Nuovo.
There were also gateways and towers
and two roads which met in a crossroad on the only square
present (today' s piazza del Popolo). Ruled firstly by the
feudal governors, the Cadolingi and then by the Alberti Earls,
the centre was subsequently passed on to the Bishop of Florence
during the XII century. This caused conflicts between the
Church and the Empire and the powers of Siena and Florence,
during this period Castelfiorentino became an important military
out-post of Florence. It became the headquarters of a podesta'
(mayor) and was awarded the privilege of having a red lily
on its flag and the title of Castelfiorentino.
Peace was declared between Siena and
Florence after the Battle of Montaperti in 1260. After a brief
period of peace, the town became a battlefield full of raids
and violent attacks. Infact, in 1521, during a violent attack
by the Spanish troops, Castelfiorentino was totally demolished.
Therefore the importance of its strategic position diminuished,
even though Albert Cosimo I restructured its fortifications.
Even its administrative importance became limited due to its
dependence on the vicar of Certaldo.
The town blossomed again during the
XVIII century, under the leadership of the Grand-duchy of
Tuscany, and became the home of the court clerk and the mayor's
office, with a municipal guard and a much wider jurisdiction
over Certaldo and Montaione.
Following the almost unanimous plebiscite
vote, Castelfiorentino happily embraced the Kingdom of Italy
becoming the district's chief-town in 1868. It was one of
the first country to elect a socialist administration in 1902.
Where is Castelfiorentino: is located in the south of Castelfiorentino
province, on the border with the province of Grosseto. See
the map
How to reach Castelfiorentino:
Nearby: Visit San Galgano, Terme di Petriolo
Distances: Florence ***** Km - Siena ***** Km - Arezzo
***** Km - Lucca ***** Km - Pisa ***** Km
Correct name is Castelfiorentino
Common mistakes are Monteriigini,
Monterigggyoni, Monte Rigioni, Mount Riggione
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Castelfiorentino
- Florence - Tuscany Italy
Castelfiorentino 
