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Radicondoli, Siena. Author and Copyright Marco Ramerini.

Radicondoli: a medieval village in the upper Val d’Elsa

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Radicondoli is a small medieval village which has about 1,000 inhabitants, the village is located on a hill 509 meters above sea level in the metalliferous hills (Colline Metallifere)  in the province of Siena, in the westernmost part of the province. Radicondoli was an ancient castle of Aldobrandeschi of which we have historical evidence since the twelfth century. The castle became later a possession of the Republic of Siena.

A SUGGESTIVE URBAN LANDSCAPE

The village has an impressive medieval cityscape made of small streets, buildings and churches. Radicondoli contain substantial remains of the medieval walls that surrounds the town, Of the ancient gates the only remains is Porta Olla characterized by a round arch.

Among the religious buildings are to visit the Collegiate Church of Santi Simone e Giuda a building from the sixteenth century with works by Pietro di Domenico da Montepulciano, the Romanesque church of San Giovanni Battista (Pieve vecchia) of the twelfth century – situated inside the cemetery – and the Monastery of Santa Caterina della Rota with brick facade of the fourteenth century. The Teatro Comunale Risorti is a typical Italian theater dating back to the early twentieth century.

Una via di Radicondoli, Siena. Author and Copyright Marco Ramerini

A street of Radicondoli, Siena. Author and Copyright Marco Ramerini

The economy of Radicondoli is linked to agriculture, in recent years tourism begins to occupy a significant role due to the presence of numerous farmhouses and also to the exploitation of the thermal waters. There is in fact a hydrothermal station, that of the Bagni delle Galleraie, whose waters are beneficial for treating skin diseases and respiratory diseases. Near the medieval village of Belforte is another interesting excursion to do, here are the Public Palace (Palazzo Pubblico) of the thirteenth century and the church of Santa Maria Assunta of the fourteenth century.

Radicondoli

Radicondoli

Among the castles in the area are to visit the imposing ruins of the Castle of Elci, the less imposing Castle Colletalli and well preserved castles Falsini, Fosini and Montingegnoli.

USEFUL INFORMATION:

Weekly market in Radicondoli: Monday fortnightly.
Piazza Matteotti (Time: 8.00-13.00).

Tourist Information Office – Radicondoli
Ufficio Informazioni Turistiche Via Tiberio Gazzei n. 89 – 53030 Radicondoli (SI)
Tel. (+39) 0577 790910 – Fax (+39) 0577 790577

BIBLIOGRAPHY

  • AA. VV. “Toscana” Guide Rosse Touring Club Italiano, 2007
  • Scali Luciano, Anselmi Barbara, Zangrandi Camillo, cur. Ass. culturale di Murlo “Val di Merse. Casole d’Elsa, Chiusdino, Monticiano, Murio, Radicondoli, Sovicille” 2005, Aska Edizioni
  • Cucini Costanza “Radicondoli. Storia e archeologia di un comune senese” 1990, Bonsignori
La collegiata, Radicondoli, Siena. Author and Copyright Marco Ramerini

The collegiate, Radicondoli, Siena. Author and Copyright Marco Ramerini

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