Sure enough, after posting about Abbadia San Salvatoe, Piancastagnaio, and San Quirico d’Orcia, Radicofani had to be covered as well. Castiglione d’Orcia is short to come too, so come back and check it out tomorrow or in a few days.
Radicofani is a tiny town set on a 900 meters high hill on the Mount Amiata. For centuries, Radicofani has been one of the most important strongholds of Italy. While approaching the village, the castle rock appears from tens of kilometers away, and seems to loom over the houses below. Built in the Thirteenth century, the castle was rebuilt in 1565 and partly demolished in the Eighteenth century. From the terrace on the top of the tower, which reaches 37 meters in height, you can admire a vast panorama although closed to the west by the Mount Amiata.
Before descending towards the village, a stroll in the pine tree grove around the fortress is worth it. In the grove there are “hidden” arches, vaults and pits that the vegetation has covered throughout the centuries. Spotting them during your walk is a very suggestive experience that brings your fantasy back in time.
The hamlet also deserves a careful visit. The most famous monument is the Romanesque church of San Pietro, built in the Thirteenth century, damaged by the last war and restored in 1946. Its interior, with low Gothic arches, houses a splendid collection of Della Robbia glazed terracotta and wooden statues, amongst which is a Madonna with Child by Francesco di Valdambrino. Behind the church there is a square from where you can admire a landscape that equals that from tower of the castle rock.
On the main road of the hamlet is the church of St. Agatha, patron saint of Radicofani. On its altar it preserves another great glazed terracotta panel by Della Robbia, while in the sacristy there is a wooden statue of more recent creation.
The Praetorian Palace is the last of the monuments of Radicofani. It is a robust construction that includes numerous antique stone coats of arms on its facade. The Maccione gardens hold a statue of Ghino di Tacco.
On the old Via Cassia, which runs around the town, is the Central Post Office, a beautiful Medicean palace that was built as the hunting lodge of Ferdinando the First, and then converted into a hotel for travelers.
Radicofani is part of the Natural Cultural and Artistic Park of the Val d’Orcia. The other milestones of this important park are Montalcino, Pienza, San Quirico d’Orcia, and Castiglione d’Orcia.
Where to find Radicofani in Tuscany:
View Rdicofani in Tuscany in a larger map
Thanks for this article on Radicofani. During a 2 week trip through Tuscany we kept seeing the tower off in the distance. We soon began to use it as our marker to know if we were traveling in the correct direction on the Via Cascia. We eventually climbed the hill and views were well worth it.
Hi Lisa, yes this is a really neat place. Do you have pictures from atop the tower or the town? I could not take any during my last time there, unfortunately.
Hi – it’s been awhile (pre digital camera age, hahaha) but I’ll take a look. I keep threatening to go back but I’ve fallen in love with the Amalfi region. Must be my southern roots.
Yes the south is just as wonderful…hope you can make it to Tuscany on your way there sometime in the future!