HISTORY

Montefollonico is perched on a hill between the Valdichiana and the Val d’Orcia, just a few kilometers from Torrita di Siena. It is a typical, medieval village, surrounded by 13th century walls in terracotta and light-brown sandstone.
With its narrow, winding streets and its low, rustic houses, Montefollonico provides a genuine view of Tuscany.
In ancient times the village was Monte a Fullonico.
The ancient Romans called cloth-workers “fullones”, therefore, the name seems to indicate that it was a place of cloth-workers. It may derive from the first mountain settlement near “Conventaccio” (the Abbey of the Cassinese monks in the 8th century). Taking advantage of a nearby stream, the inhabitants were occupied with “fulling”, the working and dyeing of wool.
Before the year one thousand, the territory of Montefollonico belonged to the powerful Ardinughi family, who made of it a fortress due to its high and easily defended position. It was the optimum place to locate the Town Hall as well as artisans’ and soldiers’ houses.
The village of Montefollonico developed between the 12th and 13th centuries. The first document recording its presence dates from 1202 and relates to a commitment by the Republic of Siena to send a contingent of soldiers to defend Montefollonico Castle against attacks by the Poliziani.
An attack by Montepulciano around 1229 is documented.
The army from Montepulciano destroyed houses and crops, and plundered the village’s entire store of linen.
At that point, the Republic of Siena decided to fortify the walls in order to turn Montefollonico into a strategic position in its own defense system.
The Castle was enclosed in a strong perimeter of walls with three gates: Porta di Follonica, Porta del Triano and Porta del Pianello.
With the passing of time and the security of its strengthened position, the village grew and extended its holdings to include surrounding territory. In addition to its strategic importance, it became a political and economic nerve center for the Republic of Siena.
Its frontier position meant that Montefollonico was frequently besieged, as in 1266 by the Guelphs out of Siena and again in 1268, when Carlo d’Angiò wrested it from Sienese dominion and enfeoffed it to Donosdeo Tolomei.
Reconquered in 1271, the Sienese undertook new fortification works, which continued until 1300.
In 1543, under siege by the Imperial army of Carlo V, Montefollonico surrendered and, together with the surrounding territories, came under the dominion of the Medicis. In 1618 it became a marquisate of the Conti Coppoli of Perugia.