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Inhabitants in 1991: 1.367
 Situated
in Val di Cecina, the municipal territory of Montescudaio extends for
19,91 square kilometres from the summit of a hill until the start of the
coastal plain. It was constituted in autonomous community from the
end of the 1400s. The first nucleus of Montescudaio was formed around
a monastery of Benedictine Nuns, founded in 1091 by Count Gherardo
della Gherardesca. It was put under the political dominion of the
republic of Pisa, who several time entrusted the Maremma Vicariate to
exponents of that lineage, the castle had a notable strategic importance
for its position on the summit of a hill and at the opening of the Gherardesca
property. In 1340 it rebelled against Pisa allying itself to Luchino
Visconti, but it was soon brought into line. In 1405 it made an act
of subjugation to the Fiorentina republic, who left the Vicariate
of their ancient dominion and all the Pisana Maremma to the della Gherardesca.
During the contest between Firenze and the realm of Napoli Montescudaio
was conquered in 1447 by King Alfonso di Aragona, with whom was allied
Count Arrigo, and in 1478 by the Papal Guard troops and
Napoli during the war which broke out between Pope Sisto IV and Ferdinando
d’Arigona. Re-conquered by Firenze the following year, it was constituted
in autonomous community of the Fiorentino State. In 1648 Ferdinando II
conceded it in feudal with the title of Marquisate to Ferdinando Ridolfi
with whose family it remained until the Unity of Italy. In the 1900s
the coming of Fascism interrupted the administration of the socialists,
who had acquired the majority in 1920.
Historical info reproduced upon authorization of Regione Toscana - Dipartimento della Presidenza E Affari Legislativi e Giuridici
Translated by Ann Mountford |
