There are so many fascinating places to visit for history buffs who rent a villa in Tuscany, such as Florence, Siena and Pisa. However, it is worth venturing out to some of the smaller towns and cities to uncover the secrets of their past as well.
A case in point is Poggibonsi, which has a truly fascinating history dating right the way back to the prehistoric Neolithic period. Its position in the heart of the Valdelsa Valley and its role in the Chianti wine production chain only add to its allure.
You can spend hours in the sunshine here wandering around sites like the Fonte delle Fate - fountain of fairies - or the 14th century Convent of San Lucchese, which is home to stunning frescos. Every building here has a story to tell and offers you a glimpse of the town's past.
While, as mentioned previously, the earliest evidence of settlement is prehistoric, civilisation of the area is not thought to have begun until the Roman-Etruscan era. Over the coming decades, Poggibonsi was to grow to much providence, becoming the most important in the valley.
It was given the title of an imperial city by Frederick II and played an incredibly important role in trade, as it sits on what was the Francigena Road - the main road linking Italy and France. To many commentators at the time, it was the most beautiful place in Tuscany.
However, this good fortune was not to last, as the town got caught up in the conflict between the Florentine Guelphs and Ghibellines. Ruled over by the latter, it got in the way of the Guelphs' plans to expand Florence and make it a more dominant power.
As a result, they fought for and conquered the settlement, before destroying it in 1270. Not only that, but they also forbade anyone to attempt to rebuild the shattered town, with the locals forced to return to their native villages.
Some 50 years later, Henry VII ordered Poggibonsi to be rebuilt and it was to be named Monte Imperiale in his honour, although he did not survive to see it completed.
Once the conflict eventually petered out, the town rose to industrial significance in the 19th century and became a key player in the local Chianti wine-producing industry. However, there was more ill fortune on the horizon, with Poggibonsi stricken by dozens of air raids in World War II.
With so many stories to tell, Poggibonsi is just as worth including on your itinerary as any of Tuscany's major cities.
If you wish to rent a villa in Tuscany, come to Invitation to Tuscany where we have an extensive portfolio for you to browse.
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