Bettolle
Bettolle: a Tuscan Hamlet with Ancient Origins
If you're a fan of Italian geography, then you've likely heard of Bettolle, a hamlet located in the municipality of Sinalunga, in the province of Siena, within the beautiful region of Tuscany. Located on the small hilly ridge of the Val di Chiana Senese, Bettolle is a place with very ancient origins and a rich and varied history.
History
The origins of the village date back to ancient times, as evidenced by the numerous Etruscan artifacts found in the area. The true origin of the name, however, has yet to be conclusively determined. Some believe it to be due to the presence of a Betula forest, but this hypothesis is highly improbable given the absence of such a species in that area. Others, on the other hand, believe the name to derive from the Etruscan family of Vetu, who settled in the nearby town of Farneta, and that the name evolved into "Bettolle" over time.
During the medieval period, Holy Roman Emperor Henry II donated the settlement of Bettolle to the Farneta Abbey, calling it "Villa di Bettolle" in 1014. Later on, the fiefdom came into the hands of the Cacciaconti family, lords of Asciano and many other castles in the Val di Chiana. Around 1266, the government of the Republic of Siena sent a Podestà to govern the castle, but the Cacciaconti family continued to maintain a strong influence in Bettolle. After 1515, control of the town passed under the influence of Cardinal Silvio Passerini, who was very close to the Florentine family of the Medici, who erected a splendid villa there. In 1554, Bettolle was definitively conquered by the Florentine troops of the Medici family, who were allied with the army of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.
The fiefdom was abolished in 1749, while from 1778 Bettolle joined the municipality of Sinalunga. Holy Roman Emperor Leopold II of Habsburg-Lorraine, who was Grand Duke of Tuscany under the name Peter Leopold I, completed the reclamation work of the Val di Chiana.
Monuments and Places of Interest
Bettolle boasts a series of monuments and places of historical and artistic interest. Among these is the Church of San Cristoforo, built on the location of an ancient vanished parish dedicated to the Assumption of Mary, dating back to 1014. One can also admire numerous Leopoldine houses, built following the reclamation of the Val di Chiana requested by Leopold II of Habsburg-Lorraine, and the Royal Farm of Bettolle.
Culture
Like many other places in Tuscany, Bettolle preserves traditions and folklore that make it unique and fascinating. Among the main cultural events are the Palio della Rivalsa, held in June, and the event "La Città dei Presepi" (The City of Nativity Scenes), organized every year by the local tourism office and the local Nativity scene committee during the Christmas period. The exhibition involves the participation of five districts into which the location is divided: Casato, Caselle, Montemaggiore, Ceppa, and Poggio. In large rooms located in their respective districts, places evoking the Nativity are recreated. The event, inaugurated on the second Sunday of December, ends on Epiphany Day. The first edition dates back to December 1995, while in 1997 the Bettolle Nativity scene was chosen to be displayed at the "International Museum of Nativity Scenes in Bethlehem".
In summary, Bettolle is a hamlet rich in history, art, culture, and traditions that awaits you with its natural beauty and the artistic treasures it preserves. A charming place to visit if you are in Tuscany!
