Santa Fiora and Robbiane: two historic and artistic treasures.
We can admire these true pearls of the past when we decide to visit the beautiful Tuscany. We begin with the manner determined by the square of Santa Fiora where there is the oldest part of the town located in the Monte Amiata, near Grosseto.
The story is able to increase the culture when we admire the beauty of the time. The town is dominated by the medieval defensive structures Aldobrandeschi: remain the square tower, stands in the shoe and the clip of the clock tower; the center we find a glazed pottery of the Della Robbia (original element surviving clock).
In the final portion of the square stands the Palazzo Sforza (XVI century) in Renaissance style. The front door was one of the gateways to the country. Inside the palace, the restoration work has brought to light a great cycle of frescoes of the sixteenth century Roman School, original example of secular art throughout Italy in the Amiata area.
The story always leaves fascinated and when we see these testimonies is really easy to imagine that time; We understand the different social habits and peculiarities that distinguish so far only several Italian towns.
The role of history
There is no doubt about the historical value. We can state with certainty that one of Santa Fiora is one of the largest collections of works by Della Robbia and, with those of Radicofani, represent the only example of Florentine art in the territory subject to Sienese art domain.
The robbiane santafioresi are of monumental altarpieces in glazed earthenware, of rare beauty for the sobriety of images, colors and harmony of shapes. The works that we can admire in Pieve are the Baptism of Jesus, the Madonna of the Girdle, the Last Supper and the Resurrection (the pulpit), a triptych depicting the coronation of the Virgin and Saints Francis and Jerome.
A complete rundown of the artistic works of the cycle are two precious historical treasures: a crucifix and a tabernacle of holy oils. When we admire these historical artifacts that make up the great Italian cultural heritage scattered in Pensiola, we can understand with greater knowledge of the importance of history and of wealth owned by Italy.
It is a reflection to understand the strategic role of culture that should be good for tourism to manage its particular facets: from openness to usability.
Immediately after passing Port of ladders leads to Terziere Borgo: there is a beautiful view of the Parco della Peschiera.
When we climb over the railing on the left, we can admire the roofs full of moss that slope towards the valley of the Sasso Petersola, the river Fiora and, on the left, at the foot of Bald River where white firs infoltiscono and obscure vegetation , the Convent of SS. Trinity.
We continue for Via of the nuns and we reach the Convent of the Poor Clares, founded in the early seventeenth century by the Sienese mystic Passitea Croci, where he guards a Wooden Crucifix thought to be miraculous and highly revered by local people.
Backtracking we find on the left Via S. Antonio, which flows in the square, where they remain the ruins of the church dedicated to the saint and destroyed in the Napoleonic period. From the square starts the picturesque Via Lunga where between ‘500 and’ 700 resided the Jewish community.
We continue the visit to Piazza S. Agostino, where, in the early fourteenth century, was built the Convent of the Augustinians. The monastic complex was completed by a hospital, the school and the church of San Michele Arcangelo. Considerable the lintel and the plaque with the symbol Augustinian placed on the external side wall.
The church was originally chosen for the tombs of the counts Aldobrandeschi. The convent was suppressed following the Leopoldina reforms (eighteenth century). The church was located the polychrome wooden statue by Jacopo della Quercia, currently on display, with other material from the convent, the Museum of Pitigliano.
