The Castle of Sassoforte belonged, as most of the Maremma castles, to the counts of the Aldobrandeschi family. The most ancient citation is of 1076 and concerns the donation of an oratory (SS. Margherita and Lucia in Sassoforte) and of other goods by the Count Ildebrando Aldobrandeschi to the Church of Montemassi. The Aldobrandeschi are also mentioned in 1221, when Emperor Federico II reconfirmed “ruling and rights” on their vassals among which Uguccione of Sassoforte degli Ardengheschi is mentioned.

Later, the Ardengheschi, Lords of Sassoforte, tried to liberate themselves from the rule of the Aldobrandeschi, pursuing self-interests by surrendering to Siena in order to receive help in overturning the rule of Umberto Aldobrandeschi. From this moment a period of relative autonomy begins for Sassoforte and it tries to extend its influence on the other castles of the Upper Maremma with continuous skirmishes against the Aldobrandeschi and other nobles of the zone.
These aggressions worried Siena who finally accepted the request of the inhabitants of the nearby town of Roccatederighi, for a military intervention to bring the owners of Sassoforte back to order.
In 1328 the famous captain Guidoriccio da Fogliano besieged the castle of Sassoforte which surrendered almost immediately. The Aldobrandeschi took advantage of this defeat and in vengeance, conducted in chains to Santa Fiora, Ghinozzo, the last Count of Sassoforte. In 1330 they sold the castle to Siena for 5,500 florins.
Siena, fearing the strong position of this fortress, ordered that the walls and the keep be destroyed while the territories were granted to the inhabitants at the annual fee of 600 lire.
Although the fortifications were destroyed, a substantial number of people continued to live in uncomfortable conditions in the castle. The inhabitants, decimated from the poverty and from the Black Plague, were reduced from 1353 to only 50 people; the castle, or what remained of it, passed in 1368 to the Salimbeni but continued its unstoppable degrade until in March 1438, Sassoforte was declassed and the inhabitants moved to the new village of Sassofortino. During the following centuries vegetation took possession of Sassoforte.
The ruins of the castle are extended on the whole circumference of a crag, at the summit of the Sassoforte hill. The walls, the towers, and the keep were built with excellent craftsmanship and much of the architectural techniques used can still be admired.
The double wall enclosure had to be, without a doubt, imposing even though the entire perimeter didn’t have the same characteristics due to the position of the land on which the castle rose, surrounded by precipices and therefore not easily accessible.
The keep is located towards the north-west. This high construction still has the access gate decorated with a vegetable motif. Above this is the breteche for the defence of the entrance. In front of the walls there is a rectangular construction equipped with beautiful windows.
Everything in this structure of this castle denotes so much care, mastery and refinement in details not typical of a common building.
Its great dimensions and architectural endowments are not frequently found in buildings of this area. The castle of Sassoforte is one of the finest in the zone and testimony to the power possessed by the Lord of Sassoforte. It was probably used as public Palace of Justice.
A visit to the Sassoforte Castle is particularly evocative because of the secular chestnut woods that are crossed by foot on the way up the mountain in order to reach the ruins. The sensation of discovery and the beautiful panorama of the sea and the woods is memorable.
The ruins of Sassoforte can be reached from the town of Sassofortino.

The castle of Montemassi is, without any doubt, the most famous monument in the territory of Roccastrada, for its importance of historical document (it was represented on the famous fresco situated in the public palace of Siena attributed to Simone Martini) and for the high example of Gothic style architecture that it represents. The fortification, that crowns a hill above the little hamlet, is constituted by two principal parts. At north there's the keep with numerous windows, loopholes and the rests of a polygonal tower. The external coverage and the inside floors were probably in wood. The building also contains a big water cistern. At south we can find the ruins of a square tower with loopholes along its walls and rests of fine internal stone masonry works.
Montemassi is remembered for the first time in history in the year 1076 as ownership of a certain Count Ildebrando. During the 13th century the castle belonged to the powerful Aldobrandeschi family and, between the numerous fortresses that they ruled in the Maremma, it was one of their main stronghold. In 1306 the castle wad subdued to the Pannocchieschi family that had numerous territories in the northwestern part of Tuscany. In the year 1328, with the support of Castruccio Castracani of the Antelminelli, the castle revolt against Siena but the powerful Sienese army reconquered, after a long siege, the fortress (this is the event celebrated by the fresco of Simone Martini above named). The Republic gave the castle in fief to the Salimbeni family (see also Rocca of Tentennano); they lost it in 1375 after a failed rebellion against the central power.
Subsequently the castle was sold, and maintained then for seven years, to Mino Verdelli for 800 Florins; then passed again to the Republic of Siena, in 1404 was decided to dismantle the fortification, to avoid that some rebels made it a base to oppose the Sienese dominion.
Ferdinando II of Tuscany, with a document of September 19th 1632, assigned Montemassi in fief to Giovanni Cristofani Malaspina da Mulazzo. On April 7th 1770 The Malaspina sold the castle to the Marquis Domenico Cambiaso da Genova and it was left to ruin. Today the whole complex lies in a state of heavily degrade.
The historical center of Montemassi is very picturesque and still maintains today the aspect of a compact medieval hamlet at 'pine-cone' form; there are no more traces of the city walls, at exception of a gate, that once were connected with the castle.

Tuscany is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. Known for its enchanting landscapes, its fantastic and genuine food and beautiful towns as Florence, Pisa, Lucca and Siena.
Podere Santa Pia is an enchanting Tuscan farmhouse, nestled in the vineyards and olive groves of the rolling Maremma hills. This privileged location offers a spectacular vista over the charming medieval town of Cinigiano and the entire Ombrone Valley. It is the perfect place for your relaxing holiday with your friends and family. The property consists of 4 large bedrooms furnished in a classic Tuscan style and 2 bathroom with shower, a big full-equipment kitchen with a fireplace and a big living room and dining room. With its original kitchen and the wood burning pizza oven, Podere Santa Pia offers an upbeat atmosphere.
The impressive garden (9000 square mt.) allows you to enjoy a relaxing holiday and is perfect for taking time out and lounging about while sipping on a glass of local wines, Montecucco DOC and Brunello DOC.
Sitting in the garden, one can enjoy our dawns and dusks, with their jubilee of colours ranging from dark yellow to pink, orange and red. In this scenario, it is often possible to observe the flight of pheasants, falcons and buzzards, great tits, chaffinches and sparrows.
This is an enchanting place far from noise, ideal to regenerate body and mind, where one has the opportunity enjoy pleasant walks or rides on mountain bike. The summer breeze that caresses Podere Santa Pia guarantees "cool" holidays even in the hottest weather.

Tuscan farmhouses | Podere Santa Pia

Gavorrano

Principina a Mare

The Ombrone River located along the coast of Maremma Grossetana, where it flows into the Tyrrhenian Sea in Principina a Mare.