31 October 2010

Montalto origin is uncertain: it probably stands on the site of an ancient Etruscan settlement. The original castle centre has been built by Berardenghi family, descendent of Winigis who was a Charles the Great vassal. Since IX century there was a castle, even if it has been firstly documented in 1004. It was a frontier rampart between Sienese and Florentine territories and it has always been faithful to Siena during the century-old contest. Montalto has been destroyed and re-built more than once: Montalto Battle in 1208 caused great damages. Berardenghi family owned the castle until XV century, when its strategic relevance was reduced. In this century Montalto has been included in Sienese Republic possessions and in 1456 it has been given to Giovanni Palmieri, whose family kept control of the place until 1572. Then it has been subdued to Florentine Government. Military Hall frescos date back up to 1500. Its current aspect is due to Antonio Palmieri who re-built it at the end of XIX century.

The Civic Tower or Clock Tower was originally part of Castelnuovo defensive system. In 1526 the "new" castle was been forti- fi ed and seven towers were built. Only one of them is still there, the current Civic Tower. The first clock was placed in 1763. From the top of the restored tower you can watch a magnifi cent view ranging from Crete to Chianti.

Villa Chigi Saracini has been built up on the initiative of Count Galgano Saracini who wanted a great decorum house for his family, with a large park to make the most of it. Building the new complex produced a radical alteration of the main urban order, since a big part of castle-walls was been pulled down. The complex (villa-chapel-park) has been carried out between 1820 and 1840 and is partly attributed to Agostino Fantasici. The way the park now looks like is due to Count Guido Saracini, great music lover and founder of Chigiana Music Accademy.