Bientina
Welcome to Bientina, a Tuscan municipality of about 8500 inhabitants located in the province of Pisa, in the transition zone between the Lucca plain and the lower Valdarno. In this text, we will talk about Bientina's territory, climate, and history.
Physical Geography
First of all, let's talk about Bientina's physical geography. The area is classified as medium-high seismicity (zone 2), according to the dPCM 3274 Ordinance of 20/03/2003. Additionally, the climate of the area is classified as zone D, with an average of 1856 degree-days. The atmospheric diffusivity is low, as reported by Ibimet CNR 2002. In the table below, you can find the average values recorded in the city during the year.
History
Now, let's move on to the history of Bientina. Its first historical mention dates back to AD 793 when Saximondo di Gumberto, a deacon, granted a portion of land of the Monastery of Sant'Andrea to Giovanni, bishop of Lucca. Later, in 1117, the castle with its district and lordly jurisdiction was sold by the then Marquis of Tuscany Rabodo to the Archbishop of Pisa.
Archbishop Ubaldo, in 1178, decided to gather all the inhabitants of the territory between Monte Pisano and the southwest shore of Lake Bientina, in order to avoid continuous disputes with Lucca. He forced the Bientinesi to live in a specific place to the east of the bridge on the canal called Cilecchio.
On February 25, 1179, the consuls of Bientina with another 120 Bientinesi swore to obey the Archbishop and to live in the designated place. This period marks the beginning of the foundation of the castle with the towers still visible today. However, more recent studies date some parts of its walls back to the late Roman period.
In the 13th and 14th centuries, Bientina was under the alternating dominion of the Republic of Lucca and the Republic of Pisa until, in 1402, it submitted to the dominion of the Republic of Florence. The castle saw its final siege in 1505, during the so-called war of Pisa. It was besieged by the Pisans, supported by 1,500 Spanish foot soldiers, but the defenders managed to drive off the attackers.
In homage to its demonstrated loyalty, the Florentine Senate granted Bientina privileges of an economic and fiscal nature, as well as the title of "Bientina Fiorentina."
In 1699, the cult of St. Valentine of Terni began with a lavish ceremony. The saint, famous for his miracles, was venerated by the Grand Prince of Tuscany Gian Gastone de' Medici in 1717 and later in 1766 and 1768 by Leopold II of Habsburg-Lorraine.
With Pietro Leopoldo, the first works of reclamation and regulation of the complex hydrography of the area began. Such works were completed by Leopold II of Tuscany (1824-1859), under whose government Lake Bientina was dried up through the construction of the Emissary Canal, a work of great hydraulic engineering due to Alessandro Manetti.
Conclusion
So, here are the history and main geographical and climatic characteristics of Bientina! If you are in the area, we recommend visiting the castle and discovering the beauty and charm of this Tuscan town in person!
