Arcidosso

Infobox CityIT
img_coa =
official_name = Arcidosso
name = Arcidosso
region = Tuscany
province = Province of Grosseto (GR)
elevation_m = 679
area_total_km2 = 93.3
population_as_of = Dec. 2004
population_total = 4173
population_density_km2 = 45
timezone = CET, UTC+1
coordinates = coord|42|52|N|11|32|E|type:city(4,173)_region:IT
frazioni = Bagnoli, Macchie, Montelaterone, Salaiola, San Lorenzo, Stribugliano, Zancona
telephone = 0564
postalcode = 58031
gentilic = arcidossìni
saint =
day =
mayor =
website = [http://www.comune.arcidosso.gr.it/ www.comune.arcidosso.gr.it/]
mapy = 11.5392
mapx = 42.8725

Arcidosso is a "comune" (municipality) in the Province of Grosseto in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 100 km south of Florence and about 35 km northeast of Grosseto and near the town of Montalcino. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 4,173 and an area of 93.3 km².All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.] Arcidosso rises at 679 meters above sea level on the western slopes of Monte Amiata between Siena and Grosseto.The municipality of Arcidosso contains the "frazioni" (subdivisions, mainly villages and hamlets) Bagnoli, Macchie, Montelaterone, Salaiola, San Lorenzo, Stribugliano, and Zancona. Arcidosso borders the following municipalities: Campagnatico, Castel del Piano, Cinigiano, Roccalbegna, Santa Fiora.

History

The first certain documentation of the existence of the settlement of Arcidosso is from the year 860 where it is said to belong to the Abbey of San Salvatore. In 1331, Guidoriccio da Fogliano, sieged it for four months using an army of 4000 soldiers and 400 horsemen, achieving its surrender. After the fall of the Senese Republic, in 1556 it passed under the Medici rule. Cosimo I established many outlying offices here, making it become an important center. Following the Reformation Leopoldina of 1786, the redistributed the state and ecclesiastic lands, Arcidosso passed under the rule of the Lorena. This generated a conspicuous demographic increment and the number of its citizens quadrupled in about 100 years. Arcidosso therefore became historically the most important political and administrative center of Monte Amiata.

The Castle of Arcidosso

The construction of the first nucleus of the castle, around which the town will develop, is from about the year 1000. From the 12th to the 14th century it was a stronghold of the Aldobrandeschi counts and became an important military fortress, bulwark against invasion by Siena in the Amiata territory. The north side of the complex is characterized by the presence of a tower that rises beyond the roof of the highest building in the compound. The top of the tower is crowned by a series of blind arches resting on shelves, the make up the base of the battlements below. The fortress, recently restored, is used today as a space for cultural activities. From the top of the tower there is a splendid panorama of Mount Amiata.

The Historic Centre

The historic center of Arcidosso, one of the most striking of Amiata, develops in a long pyramid shape along the plateau dominated by the Aldobrandesca Fortress. Only three gates of the original medieval walls remain, of which two are original – the Porta di Castello and the Porta Talassese towards the sea. From here, going down towards Codaccio, one finds the Porta dell’Orologio, built in 1851 to replace the Porta di Mezzo.

Curches and Art

While visiting Arcidosso, the castle and fortress are both “must-see” attractions not only for the structure and history, but the views from these locations is stunning and incredibly beautiful. Arcidosso is also home to several medieval churches, most notably the San Salvatore Abbey, the Chiesa della Madonna dell'Incoronata (Church of the Madonna Crowned), where pilgrims journeyed to pray for the end of the great plague, Chiesa di San Niccolo, the patron saint of Arcidosso, and the Chiesa de San Leonardo. These churches contain medieval frescoes, paintings and icons.

Demographic evolution

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References

External links

* [http://www.comune.arcidosso.gr.it/ www.comune.arcidosso.gr.it/]