Roccalbegna
The town of Roccalbegna is in the province of Grosseto at 520 m of altitude and it has a population of about 1200 inhabitants.
The town of Roccalbegna is in the province of Grosseto at 520 m of altitude and it has a population of about 1200 inhabitants. The Castle "La Pietra", the Santa Caterina Ethnographical Museum, the Oratory of the Santo Crocifisso, the Palazzo del Portino and the Palazzo della Lana can be visited while crossing its territory.
Roccalbegna and its castle had been mentioned in some documents since 1210. In that year, the emperor Otto IV gave it to the Abbey of San Salvatore set on the Amiata mountain.
Later, the Counts Aldobrandeschi, who were feudatories, took the place of the monks and gave the castle to the Santa Fiora's branch when their family split. At the end of the century, instead, one local family, which Ugolino di Roccalbegna belonged to, established its presence and it ceded its rights to Siena in 1296.
The Aldobrandeschi did not accept to be substituted and they carried out numerous assaults and sieges in Roccalbegna during the XIV century. In particular, the loot of 1331 made by the militia of the Cont Andrea di Santa Fiora, was the worst. This atmosphere of violence and instability contributed to weaken the economy of the town that underwent a long phase of crisis culminating with its annexation by the Tuscan Grand Duchy at the half of the XVI century.
With the Medici, Roccalbegna became a feud again and it was given to the dynasty of the Sforza-Cesarini that had substituted the Aldobrandeschi in Santa Fiora. Once Roccalbegna was given back to the Medici, it was ceded as a feud again to the Bichi-Ruspoli family about twenty years later and they ruled this town until 1751. With the abolition of Feudalism, wanted by Pietro Leopoldo of Lorraine at the half of the XVIII century, Roccalbegna recovered its dignity as a town.
The small fortress of Roccalbegna crowns a rock, called simply 'sasso' (stone), that from its sixty meters of altitude overhangs the homonymous suburb. The village lies on the southern side of the mount Labbro at the confluence between the rivers Armancione and Albegna, for a long time strategic zone for the control on the road that crosses the whole area of the Mount Amiata, that in this point get narrow.
The necessary to have an exceptional panoramic sight on the whole valley and the surrounding mountains is climbing up to the top of the 'sasso' and lean out, carefully, from the ramparts of the medieval fortification. Its characteristic position of 'eagle's nest' make its visit however interesting, although the Rocca can be considered more a great watchtower than a real fortress.
During the Middle Age the zone was under the dominion of the counts of the Aldobrandeschi family, to them is owed the construction of the fortifications in the second half of 13th century. The village was originally defended also by walls and by a keep with square form built on another small relief in front of the 'sasso'. This was the central nucleus of Roccalbegna, of which today remain only two towers and a line of the walled enclosure.
The fortress that has come almost intact to us was the small rocca, used only as point of lookout and last shelter in case of capitulation of the suburb. During the 14th century the suburb knew a period of great degrade that caused its almost total abandonment.
In 1455 the fortifications were readapted from the Senesi, but this only partly stopped the regressive trend of this area. With the defeat of the Senese Republic, at the mid-16th century, Roccalbegna passed to the Granduchy held up by Cosimo I de' Medici, but already in 1560 it was given in feud to the cardinal Antonio Sforza.
Roccalbegna: discover the surroundings
Accommodations in the area
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- Montepulciano (Siena)
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44 km from Roccalbegna
Agriturismo le Caggiole
Immersed in the verdant countryside around the noble town of Montepulciano, that boasts ancient Etruscan origins, Le Caggiole Estate is perfectly located for exploring Tuscany's most prized treasures.
Booking ONLINE
In a relaxing and cosy atmosphere uests are offered three comfortable, quiet double rooms with private bathrooms and two comfortable apartments for two persons and for small family groups. -
- Castiglione della Pescaia (Grosseto)
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56 km from Roccalbegna
Villa Roccamare Castiglione della Pescaia 12 beds
Beautiful and characteristic villa with stone finishes located in the exclusive Roccamare area in Castiglione della Pescaia.
Availability request
Surrounded by the green of the pine forest and the total privacy with 2000 sqm park equipped with relaxation area and barbecue is located about 400 meters from the sea and has a private beach. -
- Castiglione della Pescaia (Grosseto)
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62 km from Roccalbegna
Villa Punta Ala 9 beds pool
Beautiful villa with swimming pool surrounded by greenery and tranquility of the exclusive tourist destination Punta Ala and small attic used as service personnel only 300 meters from the sea of Tuscany.
Availability request
This ideal solution for those who want to spend their holidays near the beautiful sea of Punta Ala with the comforts of an exclusive villa. -
- Siena (Siena)
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62 km from Roccalbegna
Agriturismo Marciano
Agriturimo Marciano : an exlusive opportunity, two holidays at the place of only one. stay in the country and life downtown. Marciano is located near the walls of the Middle Age town of Siena.
Availability request
Five confortable double rooms and a suite with a beautiful sight on the Siena Duomo -
- Cortona (Arezzo)
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72 km from Roccalbegna
Rocca di Pierle
Set within the green hills of Tuscany, a few kilometers away from the old Etruscan town of Cortona farmhouse Rocca di Pierle is the perfect place to find peace and tranquility in contact with the pace of nature.
Booking ONLINE
Completely renovated Tuscan farmhouse with 3 rustic-style apartments. For groups possibilities to rent the whole villa. -
- Colle Val D'Elsa (Siena)
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78 km from Roccalbegna
La Pieve
La Pieve, charming farmhouse located on the hills of Val d'Elsa, between Volterra and San Gimignano, along the Via Francigena, in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, with its luxuriant nature and rich history.
Availability request
Framed by olive trees and a wood, it fosters a direct dialogue with nature in complete relaxation where they contemplate and enjoy the stillness in private and unique spaces. -
- San Gimignano (Siena)
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84 km from Roccalbegna
Agriturismo Villa il Palagetto
Agriturismo Villa il Palagetto located in the vicinity of the medieval centre of San Gimignano, nestled in the rolling hills of the gorgeous Tuscan countryside.
Availability request
Provides comfortable accommodation in 6 double bedrooms and two Suites -
- San Gimignano (Siena)
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85 km from Roccalbegna
Agriturismo la Lucciolaia
In the vicinity of the medieval centre of San Gimignano, nestled in the rolling hills of the gorgeous Tuscan countryside, Agriturismo La Lucciolaia is perfectly located for exploring Tuscany's most prized art towns.
Availability request
This ancient farmhouse has been recently renovated and divided into eleven double rooms and two Suites, where the magic atmosphere of past times is perfectly blended with modern comforts. -
- Greve in Chianti (Florence)
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88 km from Roccalbegna
Villa Chianti 7 beds
Villa Chianti is a private villa for rent in Chianti area with pool and garden that can accommodate up to 7 people.
Availability request
An oasis of peace and tranquility with views of the Chianti valleys not far from the main tourist attractions of Tuscany. -
- San Gimignano (Siena)
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90 km from Roccalbegna
Agriturismo Cesani
Azienda Agricola Biologica Cesani is an organic farm nestled in the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside, in the tiny country hamlet of Pancole, 6 km to the medieval town of San Gimignano.
Availability request
Azienda Agricola Biologica Cesani is an organic farm nestled in the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside, in the tiny country hamlet of Pancole, 6 km to the medieval town of San Gimignano. -
- Bagno a Ripoli (Florence)
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99 km from Roccalbegna
Villa Valdarno 12 beds
Villa Valdarno is a typical Tuscan farmhouse located in a secluded and peaceful area in the heart of the Tuscan countryside, among vineyards and olive groves, and enjoys a privileged panoramic view of the Florentine Valdarno.
Availability request
The ideal solution for groups of friends or acquaintances who wish to spend their holidays in Tuscany with the comforts of a detached villa with swimming pool and large garden. -
- Firenze (Florence)
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109 km from Roccalbegna
Marignolle relais & charme
The charming Marignolle Relais & Charme, nestled the hills of Florence, is the ideal solution for those who want a place of excellence and relaxation and love peace and privacy without the amenities of a luxury hotel.
Booking ONLINE
Marignolle Relais & Charme is especially appreciated by travelers looking for style and tradition by offering deluxe rooms or junior suites in a refined, with superior comforts and impeccable services that make this relais an excellence of Florence. -
- Lucca (Lucca)
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147 km from Roccalbegna
Historic Villa Lucca 12 beds pool
Historic villa 14 km from the center of Lucca immersed in the green of the Tuscan vineyards and olive groves, it has a private swimming pool and a large park.
Availability request
Set on 350 square meters in a dominant position offers a unique view of the hills of Tuscany.
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