Inhabitants in 1991 : 7,738
The Municipal territory of Foiano della Chiana, extends for 40,81square
kilometres on the low hills of the eastern flank of the Canale Maestro
della Chiana. Fortified court, the Podesta office, became Seat of the
community in 1774.
Centre of Estruscan origin tied to Chiusi, still flourishing in the Imperial
era, situated on a spur of the Cassia Adrianea, Foiana is remembered
from the XI century as the feudal possession of the Counts of Scialenga
and Berardenga, descendants of Wuinigi Count of Siena. It became,
with the name of Cortevecchia, one of the most important castles of the
district of Arezzo
who possessed it towards 1250, in 1336 it became part of the Fiorentina
republic together with Arezzo
and its district ; it was temporarily surrendered the community
of Perugia, after the exile of the Duke d’Atene (1343) Foiano
returned under the jurisdiction of Arezzo, subjecting itself
by a formal voluntarily deed to Firenze in 1383. It became Seat
of Office of a Podesta, in 1452 it sustained an assault for over one month
by the troops of Alfonso I of Aragona in war with Firenze, and
again in 1554 during the war of Siena, that of the Franco Siena miltia
captained by Piero Strozzi. During the Fascist period Foiano was protagonist
of actions against the regime which provoked punishing deliveries and
reprisals by members of the Fascist squad.
Places to Visit :
S.s. Domenico and Michele Arcangelo, XV century church, its
interior holds a painting by Lorenzo Lippi and a terracotta by Della
Robbia. It was restored in 1600.
S. Maria della Fratèrnita, 1500 building, subsequently
enlarged, has a finely worked ceiling of the second half of 1600s,
and contains valuable works of art
S.Francesco, XV century church with the nave adorned by
works of art, it is situated outside the township on the road for
Lucignano. |
Historical info reproduced upon authorization of Regione Toscana - Dipartimento della Presidenza E Affari Legislativi e Giuridici
Translated by Ann Mountford
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