| 
Inhabitants in 1991: 4.989
 Situated
in the Val d’Era on a height which dominates the mouth of the river
in the plain, the municipal territory of Piccioli extends for 92,63 square
kilometres, Seat of Podesta office, it was declared capital of the
community in 1776 by Pietro Leopoldo.
A castle, the property of the Counts della Gherardesca, Peccioli was
sold in the XII century to the Bishop of Volterra. Several times stronghold
of the resistance of the Val d’Era castles against the expansionistic
aims of Pisa, it was conquered by the same in 1163.
The Imperial concession of political and military jurisdiction of that
area to Pisa caused centuries old contrasts with the Volterra Bishop,
who in 1284 taking advantage of the Pisana defeat at Meloria, put Peccioli
under the protection of Firenze in exchange for half of the duties
on salt and the copper mines. Reconsigned to Pisa the following year with
the condition that the walls be taken down, but they could in reality
only take effective possession in 1293 with the peace of Fucecchio. In
1406, on the surrender of the Pisa republic, Peccioli was subjugated to
the republic of Firenze, under whose dominion they remained –
except for a brief period of occupation by Piccinino, Captain of the Duke
of Milano in 1431, and a brief rebellion in 1529 when during the siege
of Firenze they took in the troops of The Prince of Orange – until
the Unity of Italy sharing the fate of the Grand Duchy of Toscana.
Places to visit:
S. Verano, Provostal of XII century, remodelled in 1800.
The added oratorio conserves the 1600s inlaid ceiling and important
paintings. |
Historical info reproduced upon authorization of Regione Toscana - Dipartimento della Presidenza E Affari Legislativi e Giuridici
Translated by Ann Mountford |
