Firenzuola
Firenzuola: a medieval village in the Umbrian hills
Firenzuola is a small hamlet in the municipality of Acquasparta, located in the province of Terni. This medieval village is located along the provincial road 418 that connects Acquasparta with the municipality of Spoleto, in the Umbrian region. According to Istat data from 2001, the village has 94 inhabitants, while the municipal website declares a population of 162 people.
History of the medieval village
Firenzuola is located on the Spoletino side of the Martani mountains, at an altitude of 480 meters. This ancient village represented an important border point between Acquasparta and the Lombard territory of the Duchy of Spoleto. Some traces of its medieval fabric still remain today, including sections of walls and two access gates. In the 13th century, the village had some watchtowers, which were later used for housing. In 1332, Firenzuola became a "castellato" from which the nearby villages of Messenano, Arezzo and Scoppio depended.
The lords of the place were the Gallicitoli, who left signs of their presence in various coats of arms placed on the outer surfaces of the houses. The name "Firenzuola" could derive from the presence of an ancient Gallic fort in this area. In the 12th century, the village declined, but the advent of the lords of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany gave vigor back to Firenzuola, and probably left it with the name "Firençola", already in use since 1414.
Among the important personalities born in this village is Giovanni di Santuccio di Scagno, a sculptor and carver who was also called to Todi, in 1414, to compose the facade of the church of San Fortunato.
Monuments and places of interest
Firenzuola still preserves many monuments that testify to its medieval past. Among these, you can visit:
Sections of walls and access gates to the castle.
The valley of the Maroggia stream and the artificial lake of Firenzuola.
Church of S. Maria in Rupino (12th century), Romanesque.
Borgo of Arezzo, with the beautiful remains of a 14th-century castle.
Borgo of Messenano, with a castle and a Romanesque parish church from the 12th century.
All these places are worth a visit to discover the history and beauty of this ancient medieval village.
Other projects and external links
If you want to learn more about Firenzuola and its monuments, you can consult the following links:
Official website of the municipality of Acquasparta: here you can find information about Firenzuola and other places of interest in the area.
Official website of tourism in Umbria: here you can find tourist information about the Umbrian region, including Firenzuola.
Official website of the Umbria Region: here you can find information about the history, culture, and traditions of the Umbrian region.
Discover Firenzuola and its medieval beauties, immersing yourself in the history and culture of Umbria!
