Rigomagno Sinalunga

There are evident traces of settlements already in the Etruscan period in the surroundings of the town, but news about the village dates back only to the Middle Ages.

Some historians argue that the ancient Rigomagno was not located where it is today, but on a slope to the north and at a lower altitude, even closer to the gorge that leads into the Val di Chiana, near a small valley formed by a tributary stream of the Foenna torrent.

The small village was located on the continuation of the via Cassia Adrianea, north of the Mansio ad Mensulas. In fact, it seems that the name Rigomagno derives from the alteration of the name of the cited Foenna stream, at the time a rich tributary of the Clanis, therefore considered a "Rigum Magnum" (large stream). The subsequent move to the top of the hill is due to the growing unhealthiness of the place following the swamping of the Val di Chiana.

The first certain news about the presence of Rigomagno dates back to the 11th century and regards the settlement of the Counts of Scialenga in control of the town. Later Rigomagno became a strategic castle of the Republic of Siena.

It should be remembered that on 16 August 1281 the countryside around the village was the scene of a battle between the Guelfe troops and those of the Ghibellini rebels who, led by Neri di Belmonte, trusted man of Nicolò Buonsignori, undisputed leader of the Sienese Ghibellines, had recently busy Rigomagno after a bloody siege.

After this battle, the Senate of the Republic of Siena ordered to raze the country and the order was carried out immediately, also because there were few walls and houses to be demolished.

The inhabitants of the village did not agree to be branded as traitors to the homeland and immediately resorted to the Sienese Republic to be rehabilitated. One of the architects of the country's rehabilitation was Fra 'Dionisio da Rigomagno, who fought hard to defend the honor of his homeland. The friar emerged victorious and obtained the reconstruction decree.

Thus a new fortified village was built on the basis of a completely new project. In fact, despite its simplicity, the village of Rigomagno has a beautiful sober urban structure.

Today only a few sections of walls are missing due to the war of the Sienese against the imperials of Charles V. It was the year 1552 and the French, allies of Siena against the imperial allies of Florence, had to preside over Rigomagno but, not feeling strong enough, the they abandoned.

The castle was thus occupied by the Spanish troops, on behalf of the Medici. But the Florentines, believing they could not control the castle, thought that the best thing was to break down part of the walls and abandon it; shortly afterwards the Sienese took control of it.

Following the definitive fall of the Sienese Republic, the destroyed walls were no longer rebuilt and since then, in Rigomagno, the town planning has not changed substantially.