Sassetta

WHERE TIME STOOD STILL

The municipality of Sassetta lies in the Tuscan hinterland between Cecina and Piombino. The village consists of a cluster of houses built at the foot of the ancient Palace built on the foundations of a medieval castle.

Sassetta was an important castle of the Pisan Republic that was demolished in 1503 after the conquest by Florence. Since the 16th century, the village belonged to the Spanish family de Montalvo, now in Florence with Eleonora of Toledo, wife of Cosimo I de ' Medici.

The Centre of Sassetta still preserves the charm of the medieval village with its cobbled streets and stone houses leaning against one another to reach the Palazzo Ramirez-Montalvo, 16th-century patrician villa overlooking the village from above. Not far from the town there are the baths of Sassetta, whose water calcium sulfate, which flows at a temperature of 51° C, has therapeutic effects to the respiratory system, skin and musculoskeletal system.

Traditions

The first carousel sassetana which is documented dates back to 1627 on the occasion of the donation of two relics, made by Lord of Sassetta Marquis Ramirez from Montalvo, the village priest. The Palio dei Ciuchi, therefore, is linked to this ancient tradition, representing at the same time, a time of celebration for the village during which the four districts of the country are competing for the Pall of victory.

Typical

In the area around Sassetta are produced some of the finest wines from Tuscany, the famous Super Tuscans as the Red of Val di Cornia DOCG, the Val di Cornia DOC and the Costa Toscana IGT.

Photo Credits [wikimedia.org]