Staggia: Fortress, Walls and Sacred Art

Staggia is a destination for you if you want to combine the history of fortifications, sacred art and practical cycling connections. At the center is the Rocca di Staggia: it is open daily, but access is only possible with a guided tour and after mandatory reservation. The Rocca also lies on the Via Francigena, thereby connecting a prominent historic site with a traditional pilgrimage route.

The Fortress and Walls as Visible History

Today, the village of Staggia is surrounded by a well-preserved stone wall circuit, bounded by the Rocca to the northeast. The wall circuit is interrupted by eleven towers; six have a square ground plan, while the others are pentagonal. The walls visible today, with their irregular polygonal layout, date back to the Florentine expansion at the beginning of the 15th century. Those interested in medieval settlement structures and military architecture will therefore find several clearly identifiable historical elements here.

Churches, Museum and Sacred Art

The church of Santa Maria Assunta in Staggia has Romanesque origins and was extensively restored at the beginning of the 20th century. Romanesque origins and restoration represent two historical layers of the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Staggia. It houses a collection of sacred art. This collection provides a concise overview of the history of Staggia's strategically important castle and the repeated conflicts between Siena and Florence.

Next to the Pieve di Santa Maria Assunta is the Museo Pala del Pollaiolo. It houses Antonio del Pollaiolo's painting “Comunione mistica di Santa Maria Maddalena”. In this way, Staggia's religious architecture and a specific work of art complement each other, without requiring you to limit your visit to a single place.

Smaller religious sites also form part of Staggia's historical character. The 15th-century Church of the Misericordia is located next to the parish church in Staggia. Near the Rocca di Staggia, the Edicola di Maria preserves a venerated image of Maria Regina dei Cieli. In 1881, Domenico and his sisters Marri removed this image from the old Porta Fiorentina. Subsequently, Marquis Ippolito Venturi Cinori arranged for it to be kept in the shrine of the Edicola di Maria.

Orientation for Cycling and Route Planning

The traffic layout is also relevant for local orientation: the SR 2 variant bypasses the settlement of Staggia completely. Two specific connections can be identified for cycling trips. The Fondovalle Poggiobonizio route connects Bellavista with Staggia Senese and branches there into two routes. One leads towards Castellina Scalo and ends in Monteriggioni, while the other ends in Abbadia Isola. In addition, a completed section of the cycle path runs from the village of La Magione to Staggia Senese.

Further orientation: Talciona.

For the broader travel overview: Poggibonsi.