A towered market town on a branch of the Via Francigena that won its independence from the bishop of Volterra in 1199 and in the same year joined Colle di Val d'Elsa and Semifonte against Poggibonsi and, in effect, against Florence's war.
Who holds it
- Name
- Consuls or podestà of 1199-1200 (not pinned); Albertus de Monteautolo is podestà in 1202
- Title
- The commune
- Confidence
- low
Lord in 1200
The commune, independent of the bishops of Volterra since 1199.
How things stand that morning
Allied with Colle (pact of 24 November 1199) and Semifonte; at war with Poggibonsi; it will be Semifonte's last ally and sign its surrender in 1202.
Charter
Communal independence from the bishop of Volterra in 1199.
Council
Consuls or a podestà and council (names not found for 1199-1200).
Communities
Borghi of San Matteo and San Giovanni outside the walls (enclosed in 1214).
Fairs and markets
Markets on the Francigena.
Militia
Town host; raiding Poggibonsi in 1199.
Walls and castle
The first walls round the hilltop; the borghi lie outside; the Torre Rognosa is built early in the thirteenth century.
Trade and crafts
Saffron, sold through Pisa, Lucca and Genoa (its great trade peaks in the thirteenth century), wine and the pilgrim road.
Where the sources disagree
Evidence: Independence 1199 and the 1199 alliances dated; officers not pinned.
Sources and studies
Last revised 4 November 2026. Published 4 November 2026. Suggest a correction on the OMNIA Discord.