SUVERETO
SUVERETO
Since the town is surrounded by cork forests, it was named Suvereto (from sughereta, meaning cork plantation). As you can guess from its vicinity to Populonia (famous former Etruscan territory), it was founded by the Etruscan civilization in the 6th century BC. Like other places in the neighbourhood, it fell under the control of the Aldobrandeschi family. They had a tower built on the highest hill and a deep ditch dug around the outside of the walls. The remains of the medieval Rocca Aldobrandesca are very interesting to visit, especially because of the characteristic red coloured walls and pantiles. Suvereto was declared a free city in 1200, although it was still a feud of the Aldobrandeschi family. Its decay was unfortunately caused by the continuous passing of the armed forces through the town. It was actually located in a strategic position (near Siena, Florence and Piombino).
The most terrible period experienced by Suvereto and the Chianti area in general was at the end of 1600. Then, in 1800, it was annexed to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, governed by the Lorena family. From that moment onwards, the whole area underwent massive land reclamation, so that fertile lands could be exploited to grow grape vines, olive trees and cereal grains.
Since the town is surrounded by cork forests, it was named Suvereto (from sughereta, meaning cork plantation). As you can guess from its vicinity to Populonia (famous former Etruscan territory), it was founded by the Etruscan civilization in the 6th century BC. Like other places in the neighbourhood, it fell under the control of the Aldobrandeschi family. They had a tower built on the highest hill and a deep ditch dug around the outside of the walls. The remains of the medieval Rocca Aldobrandesca are very interesting to visit, especially because of the characteristic red coloured walls and pantiles. Suvereto was declared a free city in 1200, although it was still a feud of the Aldobrandeschi family. Its decay was unfortunately caused by the continuous passing of the armed forces through the town. It was actually located in a strategic position (near Siena, Florence and Piombino).
The most terrible period experienced by Suvereto and the Chianti area in general was at the end of 1600. Then, in 1800, it was annexed to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, governed by the Lorena family. From that moment onwards, the whole area underwent massive land reclamation, so that fertile lands could be exploited to grow grape vines, olive trees and cereal grains.