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Inhabitants in 1991: 10.834
 The
municipal territory of Castelfranco di Sotto extends for 48,32 square
kilometres in the plain formed between the right bank of the Arno and
the course of the Usciana canal, in the zone of Baldarno Inferiore. It
had its origins as a Medieval Podesta office and its extension was
modified in the course of time. Lastly in 1910 the district of Orentano
was aggregated to the municipality detached from Santa Croce sull’Arno.
Situated in the area in which was founded, around the year one thousand,
the most important nucleus of settlements of the Cadolingi Counts, Castelfranco
saw its first development in the XIII century when surrounded by walls
and towers the castle was populated under the stimulus of concessions
and tax exemptions to the new inhabitants. In 1262 Castelfranco was
taken by the Ghibellino army led by Count Guido Novello, Vicar to
King Manfredi in Toscana. Four years later its inhabitants where subjugated
to the republic of Pisa, who received them under their protection
but they conserved their right to approve the nomination of a Podesta
and a Notary. Disputed by the Guelfi and Ghibellini, in 1328 during
the war between the Fiorentini and the Lucchese, the castle changed
protector, entrusting itself to Firenze. It successively remained
faithful to the Lilied City, constructing one of the most important frontier
settlements of the Fiorentino State. The full tide of the Arno in 1333
destroyed the surrounding walls which were however rebuilt and are in
part visible today. The painter Antonio Puccinelli (1822-1897)
was born at Castelfranco.
Places to visit:
Palazzo Comunale, elegant 1400s construction with portico
S. Pietro, collegiate remodelled in 1700 on an already existing
building of the 1200s. The interior holds two prestigious wooden statues
from 1300s. |
Historical info reproduced upon authorization of Regione Toscana - Dipartimento della Presidenza E Affari Legislativi e Giuridici
Translated by Ann Mountford |
