Pod. Sala Route A view from Radicondoli Route A: Other walks CENTRO STUDI ETOLOGICI B5 C.S.E. B4 Radicondoli-Belforte ETHOIKOS Pod. 350m Casettino Belforte B3 Pod. Casettone Colle Pettori 1 With your back to Porta Olla Route B. Suitable for walking and for bicycles, although take the road that leads to the bicycle riders will find this route less steep if taken in the 400m Calza Walks around Pod. C3 valley south of Radicondoli. opposite direction.The route is described from Podere la Fonte S.Regolino C1 2 After about 150 metres on Giogliano (B1). Skirting the main road takes you onto a

L2 SP3 small dirt track (B2) which crosses the down hill slopes Radicondoli and B6 D4 L2 Pod.Pennanino your left you will see what C4 C2 E2 remains of an ancient vineyard north of Radicondoli. SP35 B2 Walk on for about 400 D3 (viti maritate). Shortly after this, Belforte 500m RADICONDOLI on your right hand side lies what metres from point B2 on D2 SP35 was once the Convento di San the map and you will find A1 a small pathway to your 450m E1 Francesco (inhabited by Franciscan monks and now a left, this is the starting point of route C . Con- NATURE AND A2 D1 cultural and musical centre). C.Bercio tinue straight along route Conv.to Frati C. 3 The road now turns Giglio B until you go past HISTORIC TRAILS A3 Molini into a dirt track. After just Podere Casettino with its B1 a few metres you will beautiful ancient wine Pod. encounter an old stone A4 Route A view from Colle Pettori grove. The track divides 400m Giogliano pond called locally Fonte in two at a certain point; della Concia , it was make to the left (B3). F.sso Lucignano used in the olden days After about 300 metres Radicondoli as a washing tub and for C.S.Maria the path seems to 350m A5 storing water.

E3 F.sso Feccia disappear. Keep to your 4 Keep going straight along this track until you arrive at right even though the Podere Giogliano, (if you make a left turn you will get pathway is no longer back onto the main road). Continue straight ahead. visible until you reach a 300m 350m Further on the path slopes slightly and contours to the Poggibonsi A6 Fosso vine grove. Be careful to Colle Val right.At the end of this curve take a left turn where the cross the vine grove D’Elsa Lucignano Monteriggioni pathway gets narrower.The view to your left is of the 400m straight through the Badesse L1 typical clay gullies (calanchi) often seen in Tuscan Siena fourth and fifth row (B4). Mensano Pievescola Pod. Paugnano landscapes. From this point the Sovicille A7 5 A little further on there pathway is visible again. is another parting of the Radicondoli Rosia L1 Further ahead you will ways where you will come to a crossroad L1 notice a definite downhill (B5); the first path to your left will take you to Podere la slope on your left. Keep Fonte, a farmhouse with horse-resting facilities, the 300m 450m 510m going straight to where second pathway to the left leads uphill onto the main road 350m the pathway winds into a taking you to the west side of Radicondoli. (B6) Porta 450m smaller track. After Olla lies straight ahead to your left. Colle Talli Castello di Falsini about 40 metres, before A8 F1 F2 reaching the olive grove, keeping to the left, the path Route C. This track is on the same side as route B, but goes through an area thick with growths of trees and Pod. E4 further uphill. After a section of flat track (C1) you will Colle Pettori F. sso Feccia shrubs which leads into an open field. Keep to your left pass a small ditch where you must make a sharp turn left. and you will come across Years ago the tracks we A9 This pathway leads you uphill into a hornbeam woodland 400m 400m a riparian area called use today for walks were area. On leaving the Fosso Lucignano. The used as the main means woods go straight along 450m ground here forms a of communication from 400m a pathway that will lead deep hollow and curves one village to another. you to a very sharp bend slightly to your right Whether by foot, on Bellavista in a windy road that goes 500m F3 (toward the west). Keep horseback or riding a 500m to Podere S. Regolino skirting the woods in this donkey, people moved (C2). At this bend you Pod. direction for about 200 about tracing the C. Nuova have two choices, either Pitena metres until the grove lies at a right angle to the shortest routes.The track that goes from Radicondoli to Cimitero retrace route D toward horizontal plane. the village or keep on following route C toward S. Belforte is a fine example of these itineraries.This walk A10 6 Here there is a spot where you can easily get across Regolino and then Fonte Vecchia (C3). On leaving Fonte starts off at Porta Olla in 550m 500m Radicondoli from where the Fosso Lucignano and thereby enter the nearby field. Vecchia the path forks.If you make a right turn you will the view opens out to 7 Advance south along find yourself on route B again.The left pathway will take Belforte on the South this field (toward Colle you right up to Radicondoli (C4) where the door of St East. Pettori) skirting a tree Peter once stood. 450m The actual distance from line on your left. Here G2 you will find a series of Route D. This footpath Radicondoli to Belforte is M2 Recommended Routes 2,5 km but the road that Pod. Fonte 550m Pod. Casino pathways through the leaves from the Fonte SP3 di sopra hedges, which will take runs from one village to M1 Track from Radicondoli to Belforte via Colle della Concia (D1) on the A you into the neigh- the other is 6 km long. In this map we will describe H1 G3 Pettori. Effort rating: moderate / difficult. south side of Radicondoli different walks that take you from Radicondoli to Belforte Pod. Fonte Walking time 1 hr, 40 mins. bouring fields. Of all and takes you to the and the vicinity.The major route di sotto G1 these pathways try and town centre. Once you G4 B Giogliano - Pennanino - la Sala - Porta Olla. is about 3km long, but you can Effort rating: easy.Walking time: 1 hr, 30 take the one farthest to reach the country road choose the minor tracks that BELFORTE mins. By bycilcle: 30 mins. your left near a group of (D2) keep to the right for wind in and out of the inhabited Pennanino - S.Regolino - Fonte trees that narrow down about 30 metres then H2 508 Pod. Ripa C the field considerably areas. la Fornace Vecchia - Porta Olla. Effort rating: easy / turn left and make your Along these routes you will moderate.Walking time: 40 mins. towards the right hand way up the steps in Via discover many interesting Montingegnoli side. G. Rossa till you reach D Fonte della Concia - Parco del Poggio. historic sites and natural Effort rating: easy.Walking time: 30 mins. 8 Once you have the main road (D3). chestnut woods Cross the road (looking curiosities. Together, the many Radicondoli - Belforte via Molini. crossed this field you will E out for cars) and keep tracks form a network of asphalt roads artificial implantations (pine, cypress) Effort rating: easy. encounter a dirt track, which leads to Colle Pettori and to pathways, enabling you to plan Walking time: 1 hr, 30 mins. the main road. Carefully cross this road and step into the skirting the pathway with practicable side roads viti maritate (ancient vineyards) an itinerary of your own choice. MAP SYMBOLS “S. Croce walk” olive grove, which will take you to the adjoining Strada mixed woods with F Comunicativa . track Radicondoli - Belforte unpracticable side roads Effort rating: moderate / easy: Walking time: prevalence of holm-oak 1 hour, 20 mins via Colle Talli;1 hr, 10 mins. With your back to the open horseback, cycle 9 isohypse (contour line) 10m mixed hardwood area with return walk. walking only field you have just crossed, take prevalence of pubescent oak isohypse 50m Belforte, walk around the castle. the track in front of you keeping other tracks G L1 hedges with prevalence of hawthorn Effort rating: easy.Walking time: 40 mins. to your right (south). cycle, horseback L2 vegetation with prevalence of hop- inhabited areas Belforte - la Fornace (Montingegnoli). walking only hornbeam H 10 This pathway leads straight Effort rating: easy.Walking time: 30 mins. riparian vegetation to Belforte (about 1 km). Take rivers and streams shrubberies Walk around the wall of Belforte. time to admire the beautiful clay areas M ©2004 ETHOIKOS S.r.l. and CENTRO STUDI ETOLOGICI dirt roads grassland and cultivable land Effort rating: easy.Walking time: 10 mins. cypress trees on either side of No part of this publication may be reproduced. the footpath. Rev. 2020 All rights reserved mule tracks vegetation in erosive areas springs and washtubs Pertaining to the Siena region itinerary. a wooden fence to one ues up hill taking you If you’re feeling up to a side. This by-lane will straight on to the seg- longer walk the route History and Architecture Fields, tree lines and take you to the ment that takes to can be extended follow- the riparian world Rimembranza park Belforte. After having ing route G up to the The first historical records of Radicondoli date back to 1156. However, historians have attributed the foundation to where you will find a walked for about 350 stairs that lead to the Desiderio, King of Longobards who ruled from 756 to 774. In 1172, the dominion of Radicondoli and Belforte fell into the In the countryside, in fields delightful church Pieve metres, leave the junc- main road in the village hands of the Aldobrandeschi whose governance stretched from Mount Amiata to the Cecina Valley.When in 1230 the situated near stream banks it Vecchia. Once you tion signposted Pitena (G2). By tracing the Aldobrandeschi were won over by the Republic of Siena, Radicondoli and Belforte became part of this Republic, but for is common to find trees and reach the main road the and Casino and turn left route back on the seg- years the two villages were contended over. In 1300 Radicondoli and Belforte had definitely become part of Siena.The state bushes growing in straight pathway forks. Straight onto a path with a big ment maked M2 you will of things changed when in 1557, the Republic of Siena fell into the hands of Cosimo dei Medici (the grand duke of Tuscany). rows. Even pathways leading ahead takes you into stone to one side.You are now at point G3 of the route find yourself back at the The towns of Radicondoli and Belforte followed in due course; the towers of the villages, together with the gates and part of to farms or country homes the village, following the that leads to the south entrance of Belforte. starting point. (M1). the wall around the villages were demolished to accentuate the conquest. In 1737 the Medici dynasty lost all its lands and main pedestrian roads downhill pathway to through the treaty of Vienna and the Tuscan region fell into the possession of the Hasburg-Lorraine. Of all the grand dukes are frequently bordered by your right leads to S. Route G.Whether you decide to take a bicycle ride or of this sequence of hereditary rulers the most illuminated was Pietro Leopoldo, who took over the reign in 1765.This enlight- Ethoikos Srl, Centro Studi tree lines.This scenic pattern Regolino (D4). At this walk, this route guides you all the way round the foot of ened grand duke promoted various reforms, took important political decisions and started major works such as the reclama- Etologici and the authors of different types of vegeta- point the pathway bends the castle of Belforte. Our starting point is south of accept no responsibility for any tion of the Maremma marshes and the construction of the Via Leopoldina , which crossed the Appennini mountains. In 1799 tion exists even thanks to the and you can either take Belforte in Via dell’Olmo loss, injury or inconvenience the grand duchy of Tuscany was taken over by the French troops of Napoleon I. After a succession of events the Lorraines sustained as a result of infor- intervention of man and has route C to the Fonte (G1), and proceeds won the empire back and ruled from 1814 to 1860 when all of the Tuscan region became part of the Reign of Piemonte and mation or advice in this map. always played a key role in Vecchia or follow route clock wise down hill. On Sardinia and was called, in 1861, the Reign of Italy. The structural layout of Radicondoli and Belforte is of a medieval forti- rural economy. Hedges, C back toward Podere approaching a junction fied village: an outside wall to protect the inhabited area (castle); a main road running through the villages and a series of especially when present Pennanino. In the latter with an old stone wash- gates to protect the villagers from intruders. along watercourses, develop case red and white way ing tub, ascent to the Of all the entrances to the village of Radicondoli, on different storeys markers will reassure right. About halfway up the only one left standing to date is on the south side (groundcovers, grasses, you that you are going in this track, toward west of Radicondoli: Porta Olla. The other two, Porta S. shrubs and trees), but their the right direction since you will encounter a Martino to the east and Porta S. Pietro to the west role has always been that of the pathway is not flight of wooden steps were destroyed.The main road, Via Tiberio Gazzei, giving man fire-wood, provid- visible at first. From point leading to the main road is where the most prestigious homes once stood, ing secure habitats for wild- C1 you can go straight of the village (G2). At some date back to year 1200 to 1300 whereas other life, serving as wild berries or back to Porta Olla taking this point you can decide buildings have been restored. In the main square, simply act as fences or wind route B and following directions to Podere Giogliano, or whether to end your walk Piazza Matteotti, stands the Church of Saints Giuda breaks. From a strictly eco- if you prefer follow route B to the north-west. or carry on to where the and Simone with baptistery, in the same square you main road divides; to the will find the Town Hall. At the east entrance of the village you will find the Church of S. Croce with logical point of view hedges and tree lines are transition- Route E.Whether on foot, bike or horse back this track right up hill toward the its side chapel of S. Giovanni Battista. The road that contours the village wall is interrupted on the north side, where the al habitats (ecotones), i.e. offers a most pleasant village, straight ahead is Monastery of S. Caterina della rota (Agostinian Nuns) and adjoining church stands. On this side of Radicondoli the road Belforte zones between two major way of reaching Belforte. Viale della Rimem- Strada della Fonte skirts slightly down-hill, leading to the most ancient source of water in the area. On the east side of ecological systems (for exam- It starts off on the main branza where the village Radicondoli Via della Pieve (Parish Road), leads to the oldest church of the diocese. ple woods and meadows). road, although we cemetery lies. A third Belforte, like Radicondoli is situated on a hilltop. Unfortunately not one of the four original gates These composite lands sup- advise those on lane contours down hill Radicondoli have survived. Entering the village from the west where the Porta a Monte once stood you will find port a greater variety of flora horseback to keep to the around the northern side yourself in the main road of the village, Via S. Croce, where, embedded between a series of presti- and fauna than other areas dirt tracks (E1, E2, E3) of Belforte. After walking gious homes and buildings, you will notice two churches: S. Croce and S. Maria Assunta The main (edge effect). They are dis- By bicycle the route on for about 300 metres on road ends on the other side of the village where in the olden days another gate, Porta a Ripa, tinctly different from sur- asphalt would be best this country lane you will looked out from a ridge towards east.The first turning on the left, leads to where another gate once rounding lands because of up to point E3. From come to a point where if stood (Porta a Falsini). Following this route will take you to Falsini castle. On the right hand side of unique soil and vegetation here leave the main road you turn right ( G3) you Via S. Croce starts Via dell’Olmo, which leads to the south entrance of Belforte (once Porta characteristics. Animals may by turning left onto the will notice a large stone Nuova). The road that continues from this point was the main connection from Belforte to migrate from the old gravel road. After a blocking part of the pas- Montingegnoli castle.Today it is only partly practicable by car. neighbouring vegetation and straight stretch the track sageway (next to this use these boundaries for curves left; leading track there is a private breeding, hiding or hunting straight onto a track that road leading to Podere out other species. Hedges will connect you with the la Ripa). By taking the Ancient vineyards “viti maritate” Enjoy the countryside and Calanchi (clay gullies) are fundamental to the eco- road that takes to path with the big stone system health since there is Belforte. you will arrive to the The words “viti maritate” translate literally into “married respect these rules: The so-called Calanchi a continuous exchange of south side of the hilltop vines”. These vines were anciently planted next to trees; are frequently seen in nutrients from surrounding Route F or S. Croce walk. It is a local tradition that every (where the villagers then gently tutored on to the tree trunk thus the tree 1 - Keep to paths when crossing farmland. Tuscan landscapes, they habitats. Biodiversity is year, on the third of May, have made their vegeta- becoming the sole support of the vine.The upper part of 2 - Take your litter home. are channels and ridges higher in hedges with more people from Belforte and ble gardens), keep the tree with its leaves also protected the vines from the 3 - Protect wildlife, plants and trees. formed by the erosional complex vertical stratification. Radicondoli walk in pro- ascending till you arrive wind, rain and hail stones.These plantations were very 4 - Do not pick flowers;they’re just as pretty on photo action of rainwater.These They shelter a varied cession from the town of at the south entrance of common up to 1900 and the trees chiefly used were graphs. gullies are typical of the assortment of animals from Belforte to the castle of the village from where maple (Acer Cam- 5 - Guard against all risks of fire. Appennini area and origi- birds to small mammals.It is Falsini. This commemo- you left. pestre), poplar 6 - Keeps to trails by using the map. nate on clay, tufaceous or not unusual to spot openings rates the martyrdom of (Populus nigra, P. 7 - Remember to use a compass. sandy slopes. Gullies are frequently found in areas where in the vegetation of these Father Bernardino from Route H traces the tremula) elm (Ulmus 8 - Make no unnecessary noise. there is a major sun exposure, therefore south or south hedges used as passages by Falsini, which took place antique track that led minor), the choice 9 - Help to keep all water clean. east since the sun dries up the surface layer of the soil, animals.The height of these in 1161 (written in a papal bull of Pope Pio II). Every year from Belforte to Montingegnoli castle;it is a segment of depending on tradi- 10 - Keep dogs under close control. forming large cracks which slowly get deeper as the rain- gaps give us a clue as to what kind of animal uses this the parish priest and the bishop carry the cross from the the itinerary sign posted by the Siena region. Skirting the tion and on climatic 11 - Fasten all gates. water seeps further down.These rills are then filled by the gallery: 15 cm field mice; 50 cm foxes or badgers; 80 church in Belforte to the little church in Falsini. Originally south side of Belforte, turn left at the first junction and features. soil that slides downhill and other gullies form elsewhere. cm deer. The most frequent variety of trees you will people believed that this helped keep away bad omens then, after a 300 metre In the Tuscan Landscapes where gullies encounter during our walk are maple (Acer and protect the population from plagues and illnesses. walk turn right toward region, especially form therefore never look the Emergency numbers campestre), elm wych (Ulmus glabra), pubescent oak The path is quite well kept around this period and the Podere Fonte di Sotto around Siena the same since the soil under- 118 Casualty dept. (Quercus pubescens), holm-oak (Quercus ilex), poplar walk that leads up to the castle has something magical (H1).This track leads to vines are generally “married” to maples, locally called goes continuous movements. 112 Carabinieri (Populus tremula and P. nigra, chiefly in the riparian about it. The ongoing route a minor path which you “chioppi”. The typical plantation in this area consisted of In this kind of soil it is difficult 0577 790 906 Carabinieri Radicondoli hedges), wild apple (Malus sylvestris) and pear trees leaves from the cemetery road will encounter on your tree lines planted at a distance of 6 metres between for vegetation to take root. 0577 790 910 Town hall (Pyrus communis). Most commonly amongst the (point A10, routes A and E ), right after about 350 which eight vines were planted.The trees were gently Thus, in these areas vegeta- 0577 110 Chemist Radicondoli shrubs you will find the dog rose (Rosa canina), May goes on through Podere Colle metres; follow this path shaped throughout the years so as to end up with two 325 tion is scarcely developed. blossom or hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), juniper Talli (F1) and then continues all the way to the main branches on each side at two different levels, in axis with Species often found are deep root perennial plants such (Juniperus communis), south. After walking for about road (H2). To your left the vines.The vines grew towards the branches until they as Spanish broom (Spartium junceum), blackberry bush- blackthorn (Prunus spino- 100 metres you will find a little Casolare La Fornace. clung horizontally and were then tied by means of es (Rubus fruticosus) Artemi- Bus connections sa), blackberry (Rubus pathway that winds its way leafstalks. The majority of the ancient “viti maritate” have sia (Artemisia vulgaris) haw- fruticosus), Spanish broom between the vegetation separat- Route M contours the been replaced by thorn (Crataegus monogyna), Radicondoli-Belforte (Spartium junceum), ing two fields. The pathway con- ancient castle walls. It is modern vineyards dog rose (Rosa Canina) and (Look-up official bus timetable for variations) greenweed or dyer’s broom tinues towards east taking you a very easy and short where the vines are other grass-like annual plants walk, but offers a stun- (Genista tinctoria). to Fosso Feccia and gently supported by Radicondoli Belforte with stubby roots. It would not uphill to Castello di Falsini (F2). ning view. This is the cement or wooden be unusual to find horse-tail 14:40 14:50 FER (Mon-Sat) Around the castle you will find ideal walk for a lazy poles and wire: (Equisetum arvense) an 15:05 15:15 School (Oct-Jun) Map, photographs and text by Roberto Cozzolino, Carla Cordischi, Alberto Musacchio. fenced off areas (for grazing afternoon with the family. economically cheap- angiospermous plant consid- English version by Isabella Colopi. 19:15 19:25 FER cattle) be careful to shut the The pathway is way er and easier to ered to be one of the most Our thanks to Paolo Bosco for all the information and suggestions on geological matters; to marked on the map (M1) 21:00 21:10 FER Alessandro Ceppatelli for his notes of explanation on botany. We would like also to thank Marco gates after going through.The manage by far. ancient species of plant life. Garosi and Roberto Nanni for having pointed out interesting routes; our parish priest Don Fran- return route takes you through a from Via Falsini, follow- However, it is fasci- The areas where calanchi co Ranieri, Ennio Fusi and Virgilio Barducci for notes on history and ancient traditions; special Belforte Radicondoli thanks go to Lucia Viana for her contribution on Orazio. way marked pathway which ing the castle walls east nating to think that these skills were employed during 06:25 06:34 FER form have been classified as crosses Fosso Feccia further of Belforte and ends Etruscan and Roman civilizations.To quote Orazio (63-8 nature reserves in order to This work is dedicated to Alberto Musacchio who, since 2001, is no longer with us, but whose 06:50 06:59 School enthusiastic contribution has accompanied us all the way. down hill from where you waded south of the village near B.C.): “...adulta vitium propagine altas maritat populos”- preserve the land and prevent 14:50 15:00 FER the river on the way there (F3). Via del’Olmo, where the “...(He) marries the stems that grow from the vines to the any use that may change the ©2004 ETHOIKOS and CENTRO STUDI ETOLOGICI 16:00 16:10 FER Convento dell’Osservanza, 53030 Radicondoli (Si). www.ethoikos.it From this point the track contin- ancient door once stood. tall poplar trees” (II composition of the Epodes, I book). characteristics of the terrain. All rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced.