Talla
Welcome to Talla!
Welcome to the municipality of Talla, a small town in the province of Arezzo in Tuscany, with only 963 inhabitants. The history of this place is very interesting: the name "Talla" has Etruscan origins, but was then influenced by the Lombards and then by the Romans.
The origin of the name and ancient history
As mentioned, the name "Talla" may derive from the Etruscan term "Tallulah", which refers to the ancient deity to whom the site was dedicated. The Etruscan presence has been demonstrated by the remains found in the area, such as a votive altar behind the apse of Pieve a Socana and some hypogeum tombs near the Pontenano river.
Later, when the Lombards arrived in Pontenano di Sopra in the 6th century AD, the Germanic term "Tal" could have been used to indicate the valley. The valley of Talla was also an important communication hub between the upper Valdarno and the Casentino, thanks to the numerous roads that crossed it.
Settlements in the late imperial era
During the late imperial era, numerous localities near Talla were populated by the Roman senatorial class, as evidenced by some Latin toponyms and the term "villa". It is supposed that these areas were a safe refuge to escape the Greco-Gothic war that heavily affected the Italian peninsula.
The resistance of the Aretine valley
When the Lombards invaded the valley, they encountered strong resistance from the Byzantine army. The main battle took place on the hills of Carra, above Bicciano, where some Greek-Byzantine remains can still be found today. The Germanic populations settled willingly in Pontenano di Sopra and Faltona, replacing the autochthonous agrarian class.
Talla in the feudal organization of the territory
With the feudal organization of the territory, Talla became a small castle of the Ubertini family and did not have much historical importance, as it was overwhelmed by the strong neighboring castles of Monteacuto, Capraione, and especially Pontenano. The latter was linked to the first Benedictine abbey in the Casentino, Badia Santa Trinita in Alpe di Fonte Benedetta, founded around 970.
Subjugation to Florence
However, the decline of the abbey and the political choices of Pontenano against Florence led Talla and its territory to be brought closer to the city of the Giglio. Finally, in 1384, the town was subjugated to Florence, becoming a hub between the mountain valleys, the lower Casentino and the Valdarno.
Conclusions
In summary, the history of Talla is very fascinating and allows us to discover the origins of this small town. The traces of the various historical periods are still visible today and represent a testimony of the past. If you are in the area, do not hesitate to visit this beautiful Tuscan territory!
