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'San Casciano in Val di Pesa' is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Florence in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 15 km southwest of Florence.
San Casciano in Val di Pesa borders the following municipalities: Greve in Chianti, Impruneta, Montespertoli, Scandicci, Tavarnelle Val di Pesa.

Contents

History

Main sights

Demographic evolution

References

External links

History

The territory of San Casciano was already inhabited in Etruscan times, as attested by the excavations in Monteridolfi and Valigondoli. In Roman times it was a post station on the road to Florence.
During the Middle Ages it was a fief of Florence, and in 1278 it became part of the Republic of Florence, which fortified it in 1354. In 1512 Niccolò Machiavelli was exiled here, writing ''The Prince'' and ''La Mandragola''.
San Casciano was almost entirely destroyed by an Allied bombardment on july 26 1944.

Main sights

★ ''Villa Poggio Torselli''

★ Museum of Holy Arts, housing the ''Madonna Enthroned'' (1319), the first known and dated work by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, the ''Stories of St. Michael Archangel'' (c. 1250) by Coppo di Marcovaldo

★ Church of ''Santa Maria al Prato'' or ''della Misericordia'', founded by the Dominicans in 1304. It has a single naves with four altars on the sides: the second right altar houses the important ''Crucifix'' by Simone Martini. Also noteworthy are the white and green marble pergamo by Giovanni di Balduccio (1336-1339) and a wooden Crucifix from about 1470.

★ Etruscan tomb of the Archer (7th century BC).

★ ''Pieve'' of ''San Pancrazio'', on hill dividing the valleys of the Pesa and Virginio streams. Already known from before the 11th century, it has noteworthy apses of Lombard architectural style. The interior has a nave and two aisles with matronaei. Works of art include the ''Madonna with Child'' of Agnolo Gaddi's school and a ''Crucifixion'' by Santi di Tito dating from 1590. Also notable is the ''studiolo'' by Cosimo Gheri, a pupil of Santi di Tito, with precious frescoes depicting the ''Liberal Arts'' and poets and scientists of the Classical Era.

★ ''Pieve di Santo Stefano'', at the ''frazione'' of Campoli, built in the 9th century. It was home of the bishops of Florence, including the future Pope Clement VII. In the 18th century the interior it was renovated along Baroque lines and a portico was added.

★ ''Pieve di Santa Cecilia'' at the ''frazione'' of Decimo. It is mentioned in a document by Charlemagne from 774. Heavily restored in 1728, it has a nave and two aisles; only the bell tower remain of the original Romanesque edifice.

★ Castle of Bibbione, which belonged to the Buondelmonti family. From the 16th century it was acquired by the Machiavelli family, who used it as their hunting resort.

★ Castle of Gabbiano (11th century). It was enlarged in the 13th century by the Bardi family of Florence. The rounded towers, of French influence, were added in 1505.

★ Castles of Pergolato, Monteridolfi and Il Palagio.

Demographic evolution

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References

1. All demographics and other statistics: Italian statistical institute Istat.

External links

★ www.comune.san-casciano-val-di-pesa.fi.it/

★ 'San Casciano'