Castel del Piano

BETWEEN MOUNTAIN AND HILL

The municipality is located in the hills of Monte Amiata, where groves alternate with vineyards. Productions that are derived from them are enhanced by Consorzio per la Tutela dell’Olio di olivastra seggianese and Strada del Vino Montecucco. The etymology of the name Castel del Piano derives from the latin Castrum Plani for the location of the country in the flattest of the territory.

Ancient historical records date back to the Palaeolithic and the Etruscan-Roman period. In 1175, the village became the castle of the counts Aldobrandeschi who in 1330 ceded a part of the country to the power of Siena. In 1559 it was finally annexed by the Grand Duchy of Tuscany.

 

Traditions

Every year the Palio delle Contrade evokes the medieval history of Castel del Piano. Dedicated to the cult of our Madonna delle Grazie, the Festival originates from the ancient fair of goods and livestock of the fifteenth century, when was the first horse races. In fighting the four districts of the country, Borgo, Monumento, Poggio, Storte; before the race a historical procession parades through the city streets.

 

Typical products

Among the typical products of the territory, the Monte Amiata chestnut IGP which for centuries has represented for the people of the Amiata the main source of livelihood. More at low altitude the olive groves olive varieties seggianese, one of the few trees to resist low winter temperatures, from which is derived the seggiano DOP olive oil.

 

 

Photo Credits [wikipedia.org]