Puntone
Il Puntone: a fraction with a long history
Welcome to the fraction of Puntone, a small rural center located in the municipality of Bientina, in the province of Pisa, Tuscany. Puntone is located in a flat area that was once occupied by Lake Bientina, also known as Lake Sesto. This lake, located in the center of the valley, was reclaimed in the mid-19th century to create agricultural spaces and new development opportunities in the area.
Physical geography
Located at 8 meters above sea level, the fraction of Puntone is situated within a vast and flat territory bordered by the Bientina emissary channel to the west, the first hills of Cerbaie to the east, and the town of Bientina to the south. Puntone borders Orentano to the north and Cascine di Buti and the Bientina fraction of Caccialupi to the west. Provincial road 3 Bientina-Altopascio connects Puntone to Altopascio, in the province of Lucca.
History
The territory where Puntone stands has an ancient and fascinating history. Since ancient times, this area was occupied by Lake Bientina, which was one of the largest lakes in Tuscany. In 1766, Grand Duke Leopold II of Habsburg-Lorraine visited the lake to personally evaluate the reclamation works that were being carried out in the area. Here he met with the representatives of the municipalities of Buti and Bientina before going by boat to the location called Isola for a fishing trip. The waterfalls that regulated the flow of lake waters into the Serezza, which then flowed into the Arno, were also created.
The fraction of Puntone was born following the complete drainage of the lake in 1859 and developed in the countryside east of the Bientina-Altopascio provincial road. With the increase in agricultural activities and the birth of inhabited nuclei consisting of farms and farmhouses, the fraction soon became a lively rural center.
Society
Puntone is a fraction that preserves numerous popular traditions and customs. In particular, Puntone is one of the nine districts that participate in the historic Palio di Bientina event. The Palio di Bientina is a historical reenactment held every year in honor of St. Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of the city. During the event, the nine districts compete in various disciplines to win the victory and the prestigious Palio.
Anthropogenic geography
Puntone is a populated center with a population of about 213 inhabitants. The main urban center consists of two nuclei: Case Puntone and Corte Pacini. However, in the vast rural territory of the fraction, there are also other hamlets and numerous scattered houses, including Case Mazzantino, La Tura, Podere Sant'Achille and Ponte dell'Antico.
In conclusion, Puntone is a historic and fascinating fraction that encompasses the history and traditions of the Tuscan countryside. If you are looking for peace and tranquility, immersed in a breathtaking natural landscape, then Puntone is the perfect place for you!
