 |
Azienda Agricola GIACOMO MARENGO |
| The area where the farm is built, in a watershed signing the natural border between Siena and Arezzo, has been representing an important communication link between the Maremma and the cost and hilly region for centuries. The hilly land, particularly healthy, was the place where, during the Bronze Age, some peoples developed and installed living in basins sheltered by the wind. |
| In the 70's, these places were studied by some groups of researchers of the Florence University Archaeological Department, and today they can be visited and, if lucky, it is still possible to find out some machined flints, arrows points and rests of tools. The most important finds are kept in the archaeological museum of Arezzo, together with all those Etruscan and Roman findings coming from tombs and villas present mostly everywhere in Tuscany lands. |
| The farm was practically crossed lenghtwise by Via del Ferro (literally Iron street) used by the Etruscans to take the pyrite from Elba island to Arezzo forges. Along this way, many little centres grew up together with houses and shops, some of which haven't left any traces of their presence to anybody but the experts. Many farmhouses, included those restructured for farmhouse centre purposes, were built on the rests of those first constructions on the same places. The books of history about this area of Tuscany are rich of references about it. In the medieval time, peoples gathered in some small centres on the top of the hills, such as Rapale and Palazzuolo, which were easily defensible from attacks and robbery attempts. In that time, along the watershed, sighting and defence castles rose very often on the Etruscan and Roman ruins: Palazzuolo Vecchio, for example. The frequent battles between Siena and Arezzo did not spare these constructions which, from time to time, were destroyed by invaders. |
| It is well known that in the period of time from 620 to 1600, on the farm lands, there were 4, maybe 5, churches and parishes, some of which were managed by orders of warrior monks (Jerolosomitans and maybe also Templars). Beside the holy story, a long series of legends, some pagan, developed: the gold-egg hen (Etruscan), the old witch who annoyed the wayfarers, the ghosts (a fire-eyed Knight is supposed to be seen recently), the fairies and the elves from "Borro della Vecchia". In those times, especially around year 1000, Rapale and Palazzuolo counted more inhabitants than today. In this area, there were also Lombard settlers, especially on the Aretino slop (Sala hillock). |
| Also the recent history shows that in this area many battles and wars took place. In fact, during the second world war, in our woods many battles between the allies and the retreating Germanic forces were fought. For this reason, it is still possible to see many stones trenches, left by the Etruscans and the Romans. |
