Roccatederighi
Discovering Roccatederighi: A Medieval Gem in Tuscany
Hello friends! Today I want to talk to you about Roccatederighi, a medieval village located on top of a hill to the west of Roccastrada, in the province of Grosseto, Tuscany.
Physical Geography
The location of Roccatederighi makes it easily accessible: it is about 33 km from Grosseto and 115 km from Florence. This small village will soon win you over with its historical and artistic architectural beauties.
History
The village has a long and fascinating history. Roccatederighi was under the control of the Republic of Siena in the 14th century, then became part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in the 16th century. In 1616, Grand Duke Cosimo II de' Medici granted Roccatederighi to the noble Gian Cristoforo II Malaspina, creating the marquisate. The title passed to his children, and then was sold to the Cambiaso family of Genoa in 1770.
Monuments and Places of Interest
Roccatederighi is famous for its architectural, religious, and civil beauties. Among the religious monuments, we find the church of San Martino Vescovo, the parish church of the fraction, with medieval origins and restored at the beginning of the 20th century. The church of San Sebastiano, in neoclassical style, was renovated in the 19th century. Among the civil architectures, there is the Fontona, an ancient public fountain in trachyte, restored in 2004, which now houses the museum of agricultural tools. The Civic Tower, built in 1911, overlooks the village of Roccatederighi. Among the military architectures, we find the walls of Roccatederighi, ancient medieval fortifications. Finally, the Monument to Francisco Ferrer, a marble bust in honor of the anarchist Francesc Ferrer i Guàrdia, was created by the Grosseto sculptor Ivo Pacini and inaugurated on September 14, 1914.
Society
The fraction of Roccatederighi is very small, but has a long history and a very active social life. The demographic evolution of the village has been marked by ups and downs. In 1833, there were 772 inhabitants, while in 1981 there were only 1248. In the last 20 years, the number of residents has been constantly declining, with only the inhabited center counting 773 inhabitants.
Traditions and Folklore
The "Palio dei Ciuchi" is a traditional event held every August 14th and involves the five districts of Roccatederighi: Corso, Ventosa, Torre, Tramonto, and Nobili. The race of the donkeys is followed by historical medieval parades. The race is very heated and the winning district wins the "palio," a cloth painted by local artists.
I hope this short tour of Roccatederighi has encouraged you to visit this splendid corner of Tuscany. The beauty and history of this medieval village will leave you speechless!
