Discovering… Radicofani

A stronghold in the southern Tuscany

Radicofani is a small village situated at about 60 km southeast from Siena, near the boundaries with Lazio region. Is the last village of the Tuscan Via Francigena, down on the road to Rome, just few kilometers away from the famous Abbadia San Salvatore. The surroundings  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.

The Radicofani’s Rocca

The Rocca is settled in the beautiful landscape of Val d’Orcia, at the basis of a green hill, where, on its top, there is one of the most important stronghold of the Medieval Tuscany, the Rocca. The Rocca, all built with volcanic rocks, has Carolingian and its existence has been documented at least since 978. It was the castle of Ghino di Tacco, a local hero, previously known both as a bandit and as a gentleman, in a manner that remember Robin Hood. Successively, the Rocca, was restored after the conquest from the Grand Duchy of Tuscany (1560-1567). It has two line of walls: the external one has pentagonal shape, while the inner one is triangular with three ruined towers at each corner; The central palace, called the cassero provides beautiful views of the surrounding regions and if it is a clear day visitors can also see the tower of the castle in Siena from here.

The medieval village: Radicofani

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 ceramic artworks  by Della Robbia and wooden statues among which a beautiful Mary with Jesus by Francesco di Valdambrino. Behind the Church is a large square that offers beautiful views on the surroundings landscape.

Ghino di Tacco's legend 

Ghino was born in the latter half of the thirteenth century in La Fratta, near Sinalunga, a small viallage in the Province of Siena. He was the son of a nobleman Tacco di Ugolino, of the Ghibellini's political party. Along with his father and brother, he made a career of robbery and plunder in the Siena countryside. However, they were caught by Siena's armies, and his father was executed in Piazza del Campo. He managed to escape and sought refuge in Radicofani. there Ghino continued his career as a bandit, but in the manner of a gentleman, always leaving his victims with something to live on. Boccaccio depicts him as a good brigand in his masterpiece the Decamero. He cite Ghino when relating his kidnapping of the Abbot of Cluny, in the second story of the tenth day.