The picturesque town of Roccastrada stands on the site where siliceous sand was refined for the foundries and is built on an unusual platform of trachyte rock. It was a feud of the Aldobrandeschi family until the beginning of the 14th century when it passed under the domain of the Sienese and then of the Medici.
These historic passages can be seen in the various architectural structures. The unusual town wall, built on only the west side, as the other side was already naturally protected by the sheer cliff, is still partially visible today. Within the wall are the elegant neo-Renaissance façade of the Teatro dei Concordi and the parish church of San Niccolò which has kept its 13th century plan.
Strolling through the narrow streets, it is possible to see the clearly medieval building known as the 'Carceri' which was most probably the original castle and a 16th century palace with a beautiful Renaissance portal. But the entire area of Roccastrada is worth discovering. This can be done by foot, horseback or mountain bike along the Trekking Roccastrada routes or alternative paths, all itineraries through nature, passing antique towers, castles and historic centres. The territory is further enriched by three other towns: Sassofortino, Montemassi and Roccatederighi. The first was founded by the Sienese in the first half of the 14th century and contains the remains of an imposing citadel with a portal embellished by a console decorated with plant motifs. Montemassi is a medieval village high on the Maremma plain, nestled around the Aldobrandeschi castle with narrow streets cut into the rock.
It remains a compact village 'a pigna', in the shape of a pinecone. The beautiful medieval town of Roccatederighi is camouflaged among trachyte rocks shaped by wind and rain, and it follows their shape giving a unique look to the urban landscape with its ancient wall, gates, tower, castle and parish church.
Among the various festivities held yearly in Roccastrada, the 'Comic Donkey Race' in September, has been the most popular for more than 40 years. The contending neighbourhoods, the organizers and the large public never lose their enthusiasm and their desire to have fun. The race is preceded by a parade led by the brass band's allegorical float that passes through the town, carrying its best wishes to each of the eight competing neighbourhoods. At the end of the race, the winning neighbourhood receives a hand-decorated trophy.
The picturesque town of Roccastrada stands on the site where siliceous sand was refined for the foundries and is built on an unusual platform of trachyte rock. It was a feud of the Aldobrandeschi family until the beginning of the 14th century when it passed under the domain of the Sienese and then of the Medici.
