Montemassi between Fortress, Churches and Tuscan Landscapes

Montemassi between History and Landscapes

Montemassi combines the traces of a medieval town with wide-ranging landscape views and the wine culture of southern Tuscany. Particularly impressive is a terrace on the southern edge of Montemassi: From there, the view extends as far as the sea across landscapes characterised by olive trees as well as cork and holm oak groves. Thus, alongside the town’s history, the rural surroundings are also a central focus of a stay.

Tour of the Fortifications

The official tour “Montemassi al tempo di Guidoriccio” follows a path cut into the rock to a viewpoint overlooking the village and the surrounding landscape. The route also passes the surviving remains of the medieval fortification wall, including the foundations of a small rectangular tower. The tour leaves the village through a well-preserved stone gate in the former fortification wall.

Castello di Montemassi and Battifolle

The Castello di Montemassi fortress, located 280 metres above the town, consists of two older structures. To the north stand the mastio, with the beginning of a battered wall, and the remains of a polygonal tower. To the south are the remains of a square tower with embrasures. The palazzo also preserves traces of the roof structure and wooden floor ceilings. The Castello di Montemassi is considered one of the important examples of Gothic architecture in the northern Maremma.

The Battifolle was a temporary fortification erected within a few days during the siege to conquer Montemassi in 1328. Inside it contained a trabucco, that is, a large throwing machine. The name therefore refers to a specific episode in the town’s medieval military history.

Churches with Different Historical Traces

The Chiesa di S. Maria delle Grazie has a square floor plan with a semicircular apse. An arcaded portico supported by sturdy brick pillars runs along three sides; the façade has a simple portal, two windows and a small round window. The church stands at the foot of the Battifolle on the site of a Marian chapel documented since the second half of the 14th century. The present building appears to date from the first years of the 17th century.

The first record of the Chiesa di S. Andrea Apostolo a Montemassi dates from the 11th century. A will from 1321 documents the planned construction of a new church in the borgo of Montemassi; the present church is hypothetically identified with the 14th-century church. The Chiesa di S. Andrea Apostolo also preserves a bronze bell from the years immediately following the conquest by Siena.

Wine and Rural Life

The Rocca di Montemassi winery lies at the foot of the ancient village of Montemassi in southern Tuscany, between the Mediterranean coast and the Metalliferous Hills. In the wine shop, visitors can taste and purchase the winery’s wines and olive oil from local olive trees. The Museum of Rural Civilization in Rocca di Montemassi offers another insight into the area’s rural character. It houses more than 3,000 objects as well as photographic documentation depicting over 100 years of farming life and agriculture.

Practical Information for Your Stay

The streets in the village of Montemassi are particularly narrow and steep and are paved with local volcanic rock. This townscape is an important part of Montemassi’s character and should be taken into account when planning your trip. When choosing a hotel or other accommodation for your stay, you can base your decision on your own priorities: medieval history, churches, landscape views, or wine and rural culture.

Other Places in the Area

For further travel planning, you can also explore Sassofortino, Sticciano Scalo, Torniella, Montelattaia, Ribolla and Roccatederighi.

For the higher-level travel overview: Roccastrada.