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Radicofani
Radicofani stands on a hill and is known as one of Tuscany’s most spectacular fortresses.
The fortress appears from tens of kilometers away, and seems to loom over the village with the grandeur of someone who controlled the border between the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and the Papal States for centuries.
Discover
Radicofani is a town in the province of Siena located in Val d’Orcia. The symbol of the place is definitely the famous Rocca which has been an important checkpoint on the Via Francigena for a very long time. As you walk along, you will encounter some buildings of great interest such as the Palazzo Pretorio, now the seat of the municipality, the Church of St. Peter and the Church of St. Agatha, the Palazzo della Posta, a well-known Medici villa that originated as Ferdinand I’s hunting lodge and was later repurposed first as a customs house and then as a hotel and finally the Fortress of Radicofani. The Church of St. Peter’s is known to be a Romanesque building with fairly simple forms. The church, despite numerous restorations, has retained a Romanesque appearance on the outside while the interior has a Gothic imprint. Inside we also find important works of art including a statue of the Annunciation and two Madonnas with Child and Saints.,a wooden statue, Madonna and Child and the Crucifix with Magdalene placed on the high altar. Not far from St. Peter’s Church is the Church of St. Agatha, an 18th-century building. Inside it is possible to admire a wooden crucifix crucifix from the 1500s and the masterpiece Madonna and Child, Angels and Saints made by Andrea della Robbia. The symbol of the village, however, certainly remains the Rocca di Radicofani with its imposing tower. The fortress was restored in 1929.Inside the fortress we have the Cassero Museum inside which we find archaeological finds that also provide information about an Etruscan settlement that occupied Radicofani’s high ground.
Historical events
Rally Ronde della Val d'Orcia (February/March)
Mille Miglia - Car Race (May)
Festival of ancient crafts (first week of June)
A 2 to 3-day event during which we witness reenactments of major labor, culinary, trade and livelihood traditions. During the event in the village you can see old farm machinery and meet blacksmiths, carpenters, shoemakers, laundresses, embroiderers, etc.Wineries and craft stores are open for tastings of typical products.
Val d'Orcia in Swing (July)
Two-day event held in St. Peter's Square at the center of which a swing dance floor is set up. Each edition features jazz musicians of international significance.
Bigonzo Palio (September)
Two-day festival during which the town is transformed into a medieval village with propitiatory dinners, performances, tastings, etc. Following the Holy Mass and the blessing of the contrade, the Palio takes place during which the contrade compete in a relay race made by carrying a wooden stretcher with the "bigonzo" (ancient vessel used to transport grapes) in the center.
How to get to Radicofani
Radicofani is 30 km from Chianciano Terme and can be reached by car and public transportation: the nearest train station is Chiusi, and from there you will need to take two buses, the first to Sarteano and the second to Radicofani.