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The importance of the castle of Rocca Silvana, recorded as a village as far back as the 9th century, is linked to the presence of the nearby cinnabar mines. In the 13th century it was attacked by the imperial army. Granted to Siena in the 14th century by the Aldobrandeschi family from Santa Fiora, it was then given to the Orsini family of Pitigliano.
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This town offers a truly unique sight. From one side of the walls, which still retain traces of the original towers, visitors can climb up to the Cassero and enjoy the magnificent view. The Aldobrandeschi Castle, or so-called “Pietra” or “Sasso” (stone/rock), of which little remains, stood on the second of the town’s ragged cliffs. Both of these fortified constructions were linked during Siena’s occupation by a series of walls with towers at intervals, two of which still remain.
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This town and its outlying area holds some interesting and beautiful locations, both historic and natural, and offers a vast and spectacular panorama. Parts of the original city walls are visible, built only on the western side of the town as the opposite side was naturally protected by the sheer cliff. The city theatre, Teatro dei Concordi, adds an elegant neo-Renaissance feature. The Romanesque Pieve (church) dedicated to San Nicolò is interesting, dating to the 13th century, with modern facade (1953).
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This town is part of the local district of Roccastrada and its medieval nucleus still contains the original city walls, gateways, tower, castle and church. We recommend a visit to: the Church of San Sebastiano with late Renaissance facade; the houses which overlook Piazza della Torre, which retain their medieval design and the Rocca, largely rebuilt in the 19th century with clock tower. The natural trachyte rock blends in stunningly with the architecture to create a striking scenario.
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The small town of Rocchetta di Fazio is located to the west of the local district of Semproniano, set on a cliff overlooking the River Albegna and the village’s medieval features have been preserved. Travelling down the road which leads to the bridge over the River Albegna, roughly 3 km from the town, is the Buca di Montecchio, one of the most amazing caves in the Maremma with its strangely-shaped stalagmites and stalactites, grottoes, wells and narrow
tunnels.
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This was once one of the most flourishing Etruscan cities of ancient Etruria. It is situated at the centre of a vast archaeological area which includes ruins from Etruscan era, but also from Roman times and the Middle Ages. Founded in the 7th century B.C. it reached its greatest splendour in the following century. After various alliances against Rome, Roselle was finally defeated in 294 A.D. by a Roman consol and was granted Roman citizenship in the year 89. It was inhabited throughout all the Middle Ages and from the 4th century onwards became seat of the Diocese until 1138 when the Diocese was transferred to Grosseto and Roselle considered a “castrum”.
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