Sign in with FacebookLocalita Noceta 39/41, Castiglion Fiorentino, 52043, Italy
A contrast indeed
..the near deserted streets...
...the dominant castello...
This is one of the medieval gateways. Lit in that mood-enticing glow the figure above the arch appears to be entreating you inwards to some sort of unimaginable doom but, be not afraid, I can testify that beyond these walls the natives are harmless at night and it's a wonderful experience to journey through the winding cobbled passages after hours.
The area of Castiglion Fiorentino has been inhabited since the pre-historic and proto-historic eras. The .inhabited nucleus was developed in the Etruscan period (6th - 5th c. BC) and the Hellenistic period (4th c. BC). After the Romans conquered the Arezzo territory they organized agricultural production in the form of villas. During the reign of the Emperor Augustus, the Valdichiana began a period of decline; the population, due to the flooding of the valley, moved to the hillside areas that were safer and more salutary. The construction of the parishes began at this point, connected along a footpath in the hillside and the roadway of the Val di Chio. Documents date the town with the name of Castiglione in the 10th century when it became the feudal property of the Marquis of Monte S. Maria.
In the following centuries, while it remained under the protection of the emperor, the township belonged to the diocese of Arezzo. Following the defeat of Arezzo in Campaldino (1289), the township passed to the domain of Florence. In 1303 it was again conquered by Arezzo and Siena, led by the mayor Uguccione della Faggiola. Bishop Guido Tarlati, who became monsignor of Arezzo and its territory, expanded the city walls and modified the urban structure. With the death of Tarlati, Castiglione Aretino returned briefly to the Florentine domain (1336 -1344). In 1344, it was conquered by Perugia and renamed Castiglione Perugino. In 1369, the population rebelled against Perugia, putting themselves under the protection of the church state. In 1384 the town passed finally to Florence and was renamed Castiglion Fiorentino. The beginning of the 15th century brought a period of crisis due to the epidemic of the plague and the subsequent famine. During the war between Florence and the Republic of Siena, Castiglione fell into the hands of Piero Strozzi, returning briefly under the rule of Florence (1554). The Medici government was followed by the Lorena (1765) who, reclaiming the Valdichiana, created the proper conditions for strong demographic development, social changes,, and a large economic boost. The Florentine domain ended in 1799 when the Tree of Liberty was raised in the Piazza del Mercato. From 1800 to 1814 the township was garrisoned by Napoleon's troops. With the fall of the French government, the Lorena returned in 1814 and began reclaiming the Valdichiana. Castiglion Fiorentino then followed the fate of Tuscany and the Italian Republic. The passing of the war front during World War II caused notable damage to both the historic center and a large part of the surrounding territory.
Arezzo had let me down. I had tried to get into a hotel and when I heard the price I thought, "I don't want to buy the hotel, I just want a room for the night." So I found myself en route to Cortona yet again, eyes peeled for one of those brown B&B signs indicating accommodation, of hopefully more modest tariff, not too far away.
The first one I drove into I was uncertain where the reception area was and also it looked expensive so I opted, after a few minutes and no service apparent, to head off south again.
I had just passed a town called Castiglion when I saw a promising lead. I headed down a country lane for a couple of kilometres and I struck paydirt. (see accommodation pages)
Since it was well after dark and I hadn't pre-booked, the only real option for dinner was to dine out. Thus it was that I found myself on the near-deserted streets of Castiglion Florentino in the chill of early spring air looking for a restaurant.
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