Castelfiorentino

CROSSROADS OF THE VIA FRANCIGENA

The municipality of Castelfiorentino in Empolese-Valdelsa district is located between the Middle Valley of the Arno River and the northern part of the Valle dell'Elsa.

The town was near the intersection of the Via Francigena, the road that pilgrims travelled to Rome in the middle ages, with the Via Volterrana. The first group, the Castelvecchio, was built on the foundations of an ancient Roman settlement, called Timignano. Fief of the carolingians and then of the counts Alberti, in the 12th century it was acquired by the Bishop of Florence and suffering serious conflicts between Church and Empire and between Siena and Florence, of which he was a major outpost. The country has had, since the twelfth century, a great importance from the political, economic and artistic point of view, for its geographical position on the border between Florence, Pisa and Siena, a city that for centuries have dominated art in all its forms expression.

 

Traditions

Since postwar Castelfiorentino was driven by the dynamism of small business, including the garment industry, furniture and frames, mechanics and ceramics, while still maintaining a good level in agriculture. Besides the typical productions Tuscan Chianti wine and extra virgin olive oil, the large production area of white truffle of excellent quality.

 

Typical products

Undisputed queen of castellana culinary tradition since the middle ages is the "trippa". Dish of traditional Tuscan cuisine.

 

 

Photo Credits [salute-castelfiorentino.it]