Stia
The Municipal territory of Stia extends in the Casentino for an area of 62,71 square kilometres at the foot of Monte Falterona, and is crossed by the high course of the Arno.
The Municipal territory of Stia extends in the Casentino for an area of 62,71 square kilometres at the foot of Monte Falterona, and is crossed by the high course of the Arno. A Roman settlement on the road which rises from the Arno, crossing the Apennines to reach San Godenzo, it was a feudal centre ; from 1872 an autonomous municipality, united to Pratovecchio in 1929, it reached its present day aspect in 1934 with the aggregation to it of the districts of Papiano and Ponte d’Arno, taken from the Pratovecchio territory, and the zone comprised between the river Arno, the streams Vicena and Asinaia and the borders of the province of Firenze.
Recorded in a document of 1054, Stia belonged to the Porciano branch of the Counts Guidi and was for centuries the “mercatale” (marketplace) of the aforementioned Castle. Around 1230, Count Baldino had a sumptuous dwelling constructed, called il Palagio, on the banks of the Staggia stream, from which developed a new conglomeration which joined itself to the village already in existence on the mountain, renamed then as Stia Vecchia. It was like this that the branch of the Counts called “di Palagio” was started, they maintained possession of the land of Stia until the village was put under siege by the Fiorentina republic (1402) and Count Antonio who was the last of this branch was ousted. Under the trust of Firenze the Municipality of “del Palagio Fiorentino” was constituted, the result of the union of the Municipality of Montemezzano with the rural residences of Lonnano, Papiano, Stia Vecchia and the Borgo di Stia. The noted jurist and man of politics Bernardo Tanucci (1698-1783), Court Minister to Carlo di Borbone and then valuable adviser, to Ferdinando V, was born in this area. During the last war the entire town underwent destruction, raids and reprisals, the most grave being that of April 1944 in the Vallucciole zone which provoked more than one hundred victims.
Porciano Castle
The historical memories about Porciano goes back to the 11th century, the castle is named on a year's 1017 document as residence of the Count Guido di Teudegrimo, founder of the branch of the counts Guidi from Porciano, so we can consider it as one of the first settlements of the powerful Casentinese family. More than two centuries after, in the year 1288, was the famous Count Tegrimo that, here retired after the Campaldino battle, attacked and stole the unlucky wayfarers and merchants that passed in the proximity's of the castle. Of his 'noble art' exists testimony in a 1291 sentence against the Count: he have to pay 10.000 gold florins to the Podesta (medieval term for chief magistrate or governor) of Florence to have stolen at a merchant of Ancona. The successor of Tegrimo was the Count Guido Alberto of Porciano, also condemned by the Florentine Republic to have plotted in a conspiracy to upset the same one. In March 20th 1349 the castle passed under the dominion of Florence, having the last Count of Porciano, Ludovico, suit the monk's abit abandoning all his terrestrial richness.
The greatest surviving keep in the whole Casentino.
As to many other places of this area also on Porciano exist a lot of memories, even if you don't historically proved, regarding the great poet Dante Alighieri. The legend says that in year 1311 Dante was brought for the first time in Porciano to convince the Counts of the Guidi family, that opposed for a long time the Florentine Guelphs, to support the just crowned Emperor Arrigo VII and to convince him to take openly side with the Ghibelline cause. From Porciano departed two famous letters written by the poet. The first one, March 31st 1311, destined to the Florentine, full of resentment and hate after the exile to which he was condemned, with the purpose to invite them to submit to the emperor. The second, the 16th April of the same year, to the emperor to push him to crush with the weapons the same Florence. But the Counts Guidi didn't keep the promises of fidelity done to the Emperor, and the poet immortalized his contempt for the traitors in the XIV° chant of the Purgatory of the 'Divine Comedy'. This caused the revenge of the Guidi family that imprisoned the Alighieri in one of the halls of Porciano. Another legend that concerns the castle is related to the presence between its walls of a treasure, a gold bell that 'it is worth how much the whole Casentino'.
The western tower.
The mighty Keep of Porciano, still gifted of battlement, is the greatest of the whole Casentino with its 35 meters and six plans of height. It is raised between the rests of the fortified walled enclosure, two towers, the western transformed in bell tower of the church of the little town and two gates, one to north and another to south. The downfall of the castle began in the 16th century in contemporary with the growth of the town of Stia, placed at the bottom of the valley, much more comfortable for the commerce. The ruins of the fortification also knew the shame to be destined to agricultural use. As the near castle of Romena, also Porciano became in the 19th century ownership of the Counts of the Goretti dè Flamini family that took care of its restoration. On the site were also done archaeological researches that have allowed to reconstruct the phases of development of the castle. It's now possible to see the complex system of canalization of the waters that were served to flow from the roof of the keep to the principal cistern sited in the court of the castle and in a small misure inside the same tower for drinkable use. After the last works, finished in 1978, the ruins results well kept and today have been opened to the public, the tower also entertains an apartment, residence of the owners, and a small museum of the things recovered in the area.
Looking today at this castle of small dimensions can seem impossible that in the Middle Age its importance was so notable. The 'court' of Porciano was frequented by knights, noble and ambassadors, the deriving merchants from the east had to pass under the walls of this castle to approach towards Florence and an Emperor confided in its alliance to subdue the powerful Florentine Dominion.
Stia: discover the surroundings
Accommodations in the area
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- Bagno a Ripoli (Florence)
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20 km from Stia
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. -
- Greve in Chianti (Florence)
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37 km from Stia
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. -
- Firenze (Florence)
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40 km from Stia
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. -
- Siena (Siena)
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62 km from Stia
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 -
- San Gimignano (Siena)
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62 km from Stia
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. -
- San Gimignano (Siena)
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66 km from Stia
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. -
- San Gimignano (Siena)
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66 km from Stia
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 -
- Colle Val D'Elsa (Siena)
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68 km from Stia
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. -
- Cortona (Arezzo)
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68 km from Stia
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. -
- Montepulciano (Siena)
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76 km from Stia
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. -
- Lucca (Lucca)
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93 km from Stia
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. -
- Massarosa (Lucca)
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110 km from Stia
Stone Farmhouse Massarosa 8 beds pool
Stone farmhouse in typical Tuscan style skilfully and elegantly renovated in a dominant position on the hills of Massarosa with spectacular views that reach the sea of Tuscany. The farmhouse has a swimming pool with whirlpool.
Availability request
Perfect solution for those that search the real authentic Tuscany staying in the hills but not far from the Versilia sea. -
- Camaiore (Lucca)
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111 km from Stia
Charming villa Tuscany coast 14 beds pool
Eighteenth-century villa located in a picturesque area of the Tuscan hills at the foot of the Apuan Alps, the villa has a park with swimming pool and tennis court.
Availability request
The spacious suites of the villa embellished with charming details and enhanced by modern comforts will make your stay an unforgettable experience. -
- Camaiore (Lucca)
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112 km from Stia
Villa Camaiore Hills 10 beds pool
Villa located 3 km from the center of Camaiore in a quiet and sunny position 10 km from Tuscan sea.
Availability request
Ideal for those looking for a villa accommodation on the hills of Versilia a few miles from Tuscan sea. -
- Camaiore (Lucca)
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112 km from Stia
Villa Prato di Sopra Camaiore 10 beds pool
This villa is really some thing special, perched on the top of a hill the views are endlessly breath taking.
Availability request
This villa is really some thing special, perched on the top of a hill the views are endlessly breath taking.
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