LA CASACCINA

The visit will be conducted during evening hours and include:

• welcome in the conference room
• lesson to the planetarium
• direct observation through a telescope
• vision of the night sky and the main objects visible with the use of a laser pen.

In case of cloudy weather : the direct observation through a telescope and vision of the night sky will be replaced with other activities in the media room.

In case of rain : the visit will be postponed to the following Saturday, with timely communication via e-mail.

We have been having documentes about the existence of Radicofani Castle since 978, although they are very antecedents and origins date back to the Carolingian Age, when the castle was purchased by the Monks of the Abbey of San Salvatore.
The Castle belonged to the monks until 1153 when it was bought back by the Papal State.

Due to its strategic location on the ancient Via Francigena (it is located on a hill 896 meters high and reaches 960m u.s.l at the top of the tower), the Radicofani Castle was used by Pope Adrian IV to stem the advance (both political and military) of Frederick I Barbarossa, who ruled the central and southern Tuscany from the the Castle of Montegrossi. Radicofani also became important for the young Republic of Siena, which is about 70 km to the south.

For nearly two centuries, the fortress of Radicofani was run by two: the Republic of Siena and the Papal State with the two interludes by Ghino di Tacco.
"Quiv'era l'Aretin che dalle braccia
fiere di Ghin di Tacco ebbe la morte"

Dante - Purgatorio VI, 13-14