Tuscany
Tuscany ( ; it, Toscana ) is a Regions of Italy, region in central Italy with an area of about and a population of about 3.8 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence (''Firenze'').
Tuscany is known for its landscapes, history, art ...
, a ''
frazione
A ''frazione'' (plural: ) is a type of subdivision of a ''comune'' (municipality) in Italy, often a small village or hamlet outside the main town. Most ''frazioni'' were created during the Fascist era (1922–1943) as a way to consolidate territ ...
'' of the ''
comune
The (; plural: ) is a local administrative division of Italy, roughly equivalent to a township or municipality. It is the third-level administrative division of Italy, after regions ('' regioni'') and provinces (''province''). The can also ...
'' of
Grosseto
Grosseto () is a city and ''comune'' in the central Italian region of Tuscany, the capital of the Province of Grosseto. The city lies from the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the Maremma, at the centre of an alluvial plain on the Ombrone river.
It is the m ...
, positioned at about 10 km north-east of the capital on one of the last foot-hills of the valley of
Ombrone
The Ombrone (Latin: ''Umbro'') is a long river in Tuscany, central Italy.
The Ombrone's source is at San Gusmè, near Castelnuovo Berardenga, on the south-eastern side of the Monti del Chianti. After a twisting route, it receives the waters of t ...
The hill on which the town of Batignano stands is as pertaining between the southern foot-hills of the Monte Leoni, which arises between the homonymous area and those of
Montepescali
Montepescali () is a small town in southern Tuscany, Italy, a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Grosseto.
The site, from which the scenic panorama of the coastal strip and the Tuscan Archipelago up to Corsica can be seen, is also known as "Terrac ...
,
Sticciano
Sticciano is a village in Tuscany, central Italy, administratively a frazione of the comune of Roccastrada, province of Grosseto. At the time of the 2001 census its population amounted to 686.Montorsaio, exceeding on the highest peak the altitude of 600 metres.
History
Of uncertain origins, Batignano developed in the
Medieval period
In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the late 5th to the late 15th centuries, similar to the post-classical period of global history. It began with the fall of the Western Roman Empire a ...
, around the castle which controlled the outlet of the road towards
Siena
Siena ( , ; lat, Sena Iulia) is a city in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the province of Siena.
The city is historically linked to commercial and banking activities, having been a major banking center until the 13th and 14th centuri ...
on the plain of
Grosseto
Grosseto () is a city and ''comune'' in the central Italian region of Tuscany, the capital of the Province of Grosseto. The city lies from the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the Maremma, at the centre of an alluvial plain on the Ombrone river.
It is the m ...
and some lead and silver mines. It was a feud of the
Aldobrandeschi
The Aldobrandeschi were an Italian noble family from southern Tuscany.
Overview
Of probable Lombard origin, they appear in history as counts in the 9th century. The first known count was Hildebrand II (857). Their possession extended to what i ...
and in 1213 belonged to Manto da Grosseto. In the 14th century, it then passed under the dominion of Siena, hosting many immigrants from
Corsica
Corsica ( , Upper , Southern ; it, Corsica; ; french: Corse ; lij, Còrsega; sc, Còssiga) is an island in the Mediterranean Sea and one of the 18 regions of France. It is the fourth-largest island in the Mediterranean and lies southeast of ...
, and so in the
Grand Duchy of Tuscany
The Grand Duchy of Tuscany ( it, Granducato di Toscana; la, Magnus Ducatus Etruriae) was an Italian monarchy that existed, with interruptions, from 1569 to 1859, replacing the Republic of Florence. The grand duchy's capital was Florence. In th ...
. In 1738 it was reunited with the comune of
Grosseto
Grosseto () is a city and ''comune'' in the central Italian region of Tuscany, the capital of the Province of Grosseto. The city lies from the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the Maremma, at the centre of an alluvial plain on the Ombrone river.
It is the m ...
.
Main sights
Batignano is a characteristic suburb which conserves ruins of the town walls, with towers and gates, and a cassero, aside from a triple-arched loggiato, built with reused materials (Roman columns and capitals), probably originating from Roselle. All this gives the town a certain tone of antiquity. To emphasize is also the presence of a parish and an ancient convent, now deconsecrated, situated outside the locality.
Military architecture
*''Walls of Batignano'', fortified walls of the town.
*''Torre Quadrata'', a square tower.
*''Porta Senese'', one of the two doors of the walls.
*''Porta Grossetana'', one of the two doors of the walls.
Palazzi
*''Palazzo Iacometti''
*''Palazzo Baccellieri''
*''Palazzo del Loggiato''
Churches
*''Pieve di San Martino'', originally situated outside the centre, it has a
Romanesque style
Romanesque architecture is an architectural style of medieval Europe characterized by semi-circular arches. There is no consensus for the beginning date of the Romanesque style, with proposals ranging from the 6th to the 11th century, this later ...
, with traces of frescoes of the Sienese school conserved in its inside.
*''Brotherhood Church of San Giuseppe'', of
Baroque style
The Baroque (, ; ) is a style of architecture, music, dance, painting, sculpture, poetry, and other arts that flourished in Europe from the early 17th century until the 1750s. In the territories of the Spanish and Portuguese empires including t ...
, presents valuable decorations in its inside.
*''Oratorio di San Michele Arcangelo'', place of abolished worship which originally conserved the wooden statue of the saint now placed inside the parish.
*''Convent of Santa Croce'', positioned outside the town, it conserves some frescoes, even though it was transformed into a private residence after its abandonment and its consequent deconsecration.
Gallery
Image:Porta Senese Batignano (GR).jpg, Porta Senese
Image:Pieve di San Martino Fianco Destro Batignano (GR).jpg, The Pieve di San Martino
Image:Pieve di San Martino Fonte Battesimale Batignano (GR).jpg, The baptismal font in the Pieve
Image:Interno Chiesa Confraternita di San Giuseppe Batignano (GR).jpg, The interior of the church of San Giuseppe
Image:Loggiato Batignano (GR).jpg, Loggiato
Image:Porta Grossetana Esterna Batignano (GR).jpg, The outer side of the Porta Grossetana
Image:Porta Grossetana Interna Batignano (GR).jpg, The inner side of the Porta Grossetana
Image:Convento di Santa Croce Batignano (GR).jpg, The Convent of Santa Croce
See also
*
Grosseto
Grosseto () is a city and ''comune'' in the central Italian region of Tuscany, the capital of the Province of Grosseto. The city lies from the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the Maremma, at the centre of an alluvial plain on the Ombrone river.
It is the m ...
*
Maremma
The Maremma (, ; from Latin , "maritime and) is a coastal area of western central Italy, bordering the Tyrrhenian Sea. It includes much of south-western Tuscany and part of northern Lazio. It was formerly mostly marshland, often malarial, but ...
*
Alberese
Alberese () is a rural town in southern Tuscany, a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Grosseto. It is situated 20 km south-east of the capital, in the heart of the Natural Park of Maremma. This area includes the surrounding rural territories ...
*
Braccagni
Braccagni () is a village in Tuscany, administratively a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Grosseto.
It is positioned in the northern part of the municipal territory, at the bottom of the hill of Montepescali.
History
The village of Braccagni wa ...
*
Istia d'Ombrone
Istia d'Ombrone () is a small town in southern Tuscany, Italy, a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Grosseto.
History
In the area surrounding the centre of Istia there have been found some ruins of ancient habitations dating back to the Etruscan e ...
*
Marina di Grosseto
Marina di Grosseto () is a popular tourist destination located twelve kilometers from Grosseto; it is an important seaside resort in Grossetan Maremma. Once a fishing village, it is known for its hilly hinterland, rich in macchia and wide beaches ...
*
Montepescali
Montepescali () is a small town in southern Tuscany, Italy, a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Grosseto.
The site, from which the scenic panorama of the coastal strip and the Tuscan Archipelago up to Corsica can be seen, is also known as "Terrac ...
*
Principina a Mare
Principina a Mare () is an Italian ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Grosseto, in the province of the same name.
Overview
The centre, less populated during winter, is mainly made up of houses of holidaymakers, hotels and a campsite. It is freq ...
*
Principina Terra
Principina Terra () is a village in southern Tuscany, a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Grosseto.
Overview
The frazione is situated south-east of the capital, nearly halfway between the residential centre and the coastal localities of Marina di ...
*
Rispescia
Rispescia (), or Santa Maria di Rispescia, is a small town in southern Tuscany, a ''frazione'' of the ''comune'' of Grosseto, situated about 10 km south-east of the capital, right outside the Natural Park of Maremma, near the frazione of Alber ...
*
Roselle, Italy
Roselle () is a ''frazione'' or village in the ''comune'' of Grosseto. The archaeological remains of the ancient city of Rusellae are located to the northeast of the modern settlement.
References
Bibliography
*
*
*
See also
* List ...
Sources
*Aldo Mazzolai. ''Guida della Maremma. Percorsi tra arte e natura.'' Florence, Le Lettere, 1997.
*Giuseppe Guerrini. ''Torri e Castelli della provincia di Grosseto (Amministrazione Provinciale di Grosseto).'' Siena, Nuova Immagine Editrice, 1999.
*Carlo Citter. ''Guida agli edifici sacri della Maremma.'' Siena, Nuova Immagine Editrice, 2002.