A little history
This important hilltop town overlooking the Val di Chiana, is thought to have Etruscan origins, as shown by the remains of Etruscan walls found at the Cassero tower. The current town was founded in the 11th century, a fiefdom of the Bourbon del Monte. During the 13th century, it fell into the possession of Arezzo – and so was referred to as Castiglion Aretino – who fortified the village and enclosed it with thick walls. For a short period in the mid 14th century it then came under the control of Perugia, before becoming a permanent possession of the republic of Florence in 1384, at which time its name changed to Castiglion Fiorentino.
Festivals
Castiglion Fiorentino holds numerous festivals throughout the year, especially from July to September, when there are many plays, concerts, and food tastings taking place in the streets. One of their biggest events is the ‘Palio dei Rioni’, a horse race through the town (similar to the Siena Palio but on a smaller scale). Taking place on the third Sunday of June, it pits the three districts (‘rioni’) of the town against each other.
Also, look out for a ‘sagra’ happening nearby during your stay – it is a festival dedicated to food but these festivals usually involve live music and dancing etc and are great fun. For instance, in Castiglion Fiorentino you can sample wild boar meat at the ‘Sagra del Cinghiale’ over the second/third weekends in May, and grilled frog (yes, really) in late July/early August.
There are also regular festivities in the nearby town of Cortona, which is a delight to visit at any time.
Museums
Don’t miss the Pinacoteca Comunale, formerly a church and now a good museum. It houses a 13th century Umbrian crucifix, and a couple of panels by Bartolomeo della Gatta, including the interesting ‘St Francis Receiving the Stigmata’. There’s also access to the crypt.
There is also an Archaeological Museum (Museo Archeologico), located in the Praetorian Palace (Palazzo Pretorio) in Via del Tribunale. Artefacts and underground passage from the town’s Etruscan period are on show.
