Remnant of the Medieval Santa Fiora Drawbridge

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From 1381 to 1385 Santa Fiora, for most of its history an independent medieval state ruled by Counts Aldobrandeschi, was conquered by the Republic of Siena, which transformed it into a military hub in Monte Amiata. The Siennese government started an intense construction activity of fortification and extension of the former Aldobrandeschi fortress. The first intervention consisted in the expansion of the defensive moat that ran at least on the south and east sides of the citadel wall and part of which is still preserved and visible in the basement of the surveyed structures. At the same time, a fortified antiport was built, which housed the main entrance to the fortress proper, through a drawbridge crossing the moat. Faro Scans 36, Images 1507 Michele Nucciotti, 1998, “Note sulla politica urbanistica del governo senese di Santa Fiora (1381-1385)”, in Tracce… Michele Nucciotti, Guido Vannini, 2002, “Santa Fiora: strutture materiali di una capitale rurale nella Toscana meridionale del Medioevo”, Siena.