スヴェレートの洞窟・トップ7

Massa Marittima is a fortified medieval village located on a hill, known for its beauty and wealth of artistic and architectural heritage. Key attractions include the magnificent Piazza Garibaldi, with the Cathedral of San Cerbone, the Palazzo del Podestà, and the Palazzo Comunale. Other points of interest include the Fonti dell'Abbondanza with its famous fresco of the Tree of Fertility and, in the upper town, the Torre del Candeliere and the Cassero Senese within the medieval walls.

The Torre del Candeliere is a museum monument that is an integral part of the Massa Marittima Museum System. The tower was erected in 1228 to both monitor the area (as a watchtower) and assert the authority of the Municipality of Massa Marittima, which had recently freed itself from the rule of the Prince-Bishop. The tower was originally a third taller than its current counterpart, the result of Siena's reconstruction following the war that brought it victory over Massa. Another Sienese initiative was the construction of the majestic arch connecting it to the Cassero, built in the center of the city to monitor the still-rebellious Massa Marittima residents, ready to rise up.

The fortification of Suvereto was commissioned by the Aldobrandeschi family, who already held public rights over Populonia, and who moved the administrative center of their holdings to the area. The original settlement consisted primarily of wooden huts and a few rough, unworked stone buildings. The first walled nucleus of the complex consists of a quadrangular tower, a structure more defensive than residential, most likely built around 1164. The walls are made of worked stone arranged in horizontal, parallel rows, with arrow slits at various heights along the walls. At the same time, the village also developed along the terraces of the hill, with a curvilinear shape of concentric rings.

The tower was erected in 1228 to both monitor the territory (as a watchtower) and assert the authority of the Municipality of Massa Marittima, which had recently freed itself from the rule of the Prince-Bishop. The tower was originally a third taller than its current counterpart, the result of Siena's reconstruction following the war that brought it victory over Massa. Another Sienese initiative was the construction of the majestic arch connecting it to the Cassero, built in the center of the city to monitor the Massa Marittima residents, who were still rebellious and ready to rise up.

Massa Marittima is a municipality located in the southern area of the Colline Metallifere, an area that has been inhabited since prehistoric times, as documented by numerous archaeological finds. The settlement is thought to be of Etruscan origin, but the city's most important period began in the 9th century, when it became a bishop's seat. From then until the 14th century, the city reached its peak splendor, thanks in part to the area's abundant mineral resources.

In 1335, Massa Marittima lost its political autonomy, having to yield to the conquest of Siena, which had long been attempting to seize control of the Massa Marittima mines. A period of economic and demographic decline followed, further exacerbated by the plague of 1348. Despite the serious problems, however, mining activity was never completely abandoned, although it was certainly significantly reduced. The Medici family, who incorporated the province of Siena into the Grand Duchy in 1557, attempted some interventions to promote the area's recovery, while a significant revival occurred in 1737 with the arrival of the House of Lorraine as successors to the extinct Medici family.

The Torre del Candeliere of Massa Marittima was built in 1228 by the Pisan mayor Tedice Malabarba as a watchtower and as a symbol of the power of the free municipality of Massa Marittima, which a few years earlier had obtained autonomy from the dominion of the bishop. Prince. For this reason it was raised by 28 meters, right in front of the Monteregio Castle, the seat of the bishop. After exhausting fighting in 1335, the city of Siena was forced to surrender, which severed the tower by a third of its height to demonstrate its dominion over the city. At the same time, the Sienese began the construction of a large arch that would connect the tower to the Cassero Senese in the center of the city, still in use today. In 1413 a large bell was placed on the tower, said to be three times the size of the current one, which the locals still call “Campanone”, despite being destroyed by lightning in the second half of the 18th century. The first clock in the city was placed on the east side, opposite Piazza Matteotti. Today the tower, also called the Clock Tower, is one of the main attractions of Massa Marittima, as from its top you can enjoy a breathtaking panorama of the city and the sea. The sightseeing route also allows you to walk along the arch and on part of the fortress walls.

A beautiful Tuscan village that is a lot quieter than the larger known cities, but is no less beautiful. It is a true cycling paradise and you will even find a cycling café near the Piazza and church.