Poggibonsi

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Poggibonsi
Comune di Poggibonsi
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Poggibonsi-Stemma.svg
Location of Poggibonsi
Poggibonsi
Italy provincial location map 2016.svg
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Poggibonsi
Location of Poggibonsi in Italy
Italy Tuscany location map.svg
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Poggibonsi
Poggibonsi (Tuscany)
Coordinates: 43°28′N11°09′E / 43.467°N 11.150°E / 43.467; 11.150
Country Italy
Region Tuscany
Province Siena (SI)
Frazioni Bellavista, Staggia Senese
Government
  Mayor Susanna Cenni
Area
[1]
  Total
70.59 km2 (27.25 sq mi)
Elevation
116 m (381 ft)
Population
 (31 October 2021) [2]
  Total
28,672
  Density410/km2 (1,100/sq mi)
Demonym Poggibonsesi
Time zone UTC+1 (CET)
  Summer (DST) UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code
53036
Dialing code 0577
Patron saint St. Luchesius
Saint dayApril 28
Website www.comune.poggibonsi.si.it

Poggibonsi is a town in the province of Siena, Tuscany, Central Italy. It is located on the River Elsa and is the main centre of the Valdelsa Valley.

Contents

History

The area around Poggibonsi was already settled in the Neolithic age, although the first traces of civilisation dates from Etruscan-Roman age, attested by a series of necropolises and by placenames such as "Talciona" or "Marturi" (from the Etruscan name of Mars).

Siege of Poggiobonizio by Charles I of Anjou Assedio di Poggiobonizio.png
Siege of Poggiobonizio by Charles I of Anjou

The importance of the area dates from the 10th century, thanks to its position across the Via Francigena, the main road from Rome to France. At that time, the development of Borgo di Marte (later Marturi, Borgo Vecchio and then Poggibonsi) was started, a settlement whose origins are debated. Around 1010, Borgo di Camaldo appeared. In 1155 or 1156, the inhabitants of these and other nearby towns were moved by Guido Guerra, of the Guidi Counts, to a hill where a new settlement, Poggiobonizio, was established. In the 12th century, the Cathars had a major theological school in Poggibonsi. Declared an Imperial City by emperor Frederick II, according to Giovanni Villani it was one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. Poggiobonizio, which adhered to the Ghibellines, was destroyed by the Florentine Guelphs in 1270. After 1293, Poggibonsi remained under Florentine rule. Emperor Henry VII ordered reconstruction in 1313 as Monte Imperiale, but the work did not survive him. In 1484, Lorenzo de' Medici had a new settlement built in Poggiobonizio according to the Renaissance idea of the "Ideal City", protected by a fortress designed by Antonio and Giuliano da Sangallo. Work, however, was halted in 1510.

After a short period under the French in the early 19th century, it became part of a united Italy in 1861. In the 20th century, the economy was based on the trade in Chianti wine and active industrialisation. Poggibonsi is the smallest of the Chianti Classico sub-regions.

Main sights

In the neighbourhood are:

The Basilica of San Lucchese Basilica San Lucchese.png
The Basilica of San Lucchese

Frazioni

The municipality is formed by the city of Poggibonsi and the towns and villages ( frazioni ) of Bellavista and Staggia Senese. Other notable villages include Case Bolzano, Castiglioni, Cedda, Cinciano, Gavignano, Lecchi di Staggia, Luco, Montemorli, Papaiano, Piandicampi, Sant'Antonio del Bosco and Talciona.

International relations

Poggibonsi is twinned with:

"Poggibonsi" is also the title of a song written by Franco Battiato, and sung by Milva in her 1982 album Milva e dintorni.

'Bonipoggio', a take-off of Poggibonsi, is the title of a cardinal played by Roger Ashton-Griffiths, in the BBC TV series 'Father Brown' S4 Ep5 'The Daughter of Autolychus'.

Sports

The local football team is US Poggibonsi.

People

References

  1. "Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  2. "Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018". Italian National Institute of Statistics. Retrieved 16 March 2019.

Sources