Montescudaio

Montescudaio
Country	Italy
region	Tuscany
province	Pisa (PI)
Coordinates	43 ° 20 ' N , 10 ° 38' E Coordinates: 43 ° 19 '37 " N , 10 ° 37' 37" E
height	242 m slm
surface	19.9 km²
Residents	2,133 (Dec. 31, 2019)
Population density	107 inhabitants / km²
Post Code	56040
prefix	0586
ISTAT number	050020
Popular name	Montescudaini
Website	Montescudaio
	; Panorama of Montescudaio

Montescudaio is an Italian municipality with 2133 inhabitants (as of December 31, 2019) in the province of Pisa in Tuscany and is a member of the association I borghi più belli d'Italia (The Most Beautiful Places in Italy).

geography

Location of Montescudaio in the province of Pisa

The place is about 242 m above sea level. NN and is about 15 kilometers from the Mediterranean coast. Like Guardistallo and Casale Marittimo , Montescudaio is located on one of the hills that close the Cecina plain to the east. The place is located in the center of the Montescudaio DOC wine-growing region and in the climatic classification of Italian communities in Zone D, 1879 GG.

The only district (Frazione) is Il Fiorino (242 meters above sea level, approx. 720 inhabitants).

The neighboring municipalities include Cecina ( LI ), Guardistallo , Montecatini Val di Cecina and Riparbella .

history

Pre-Roman settlements of the Villanova culture and the Etruscans were discovered on the hill of Montescudaio . In the Middle Ages there was a Benedictine monastery here . Due to its strategic position, the hill gained military importance and was fortified. The name Montescudaio, which is derived from the Latin Mons Scutarius (mountain of shields), was first mentioned as the castle of the Counts della Gherardesca in a document from the year 1092. It remained under the rule of Pisa until 1406 . Under Florence it was an autonomous municipality from 1479 to 1648, and then, until 1749, it was a fief of the Ridolfi family. Large parts of the village were destroyed by two earthquakes in 1846 and 1871, including the old Benedictine church of Santa Maria and the medieval castle complex.

As in many rural communities in Tuscany, olive oil and viticulture have been the main source of income for the population for centuries. After the Second World War , Montescudaio then lost part of its population through emigration to the nearby industrial and commercial centers on the coast such as Cecina and Rosignano Marittimo ; however, this development was halted by promoting tourism and the cultivation of quality wines.

Culture and sights

The building stock of the place is partly medieval . Some old towers (like the Torre Guardiola ) and fortress walls point to the formerly strong fortifications.

Churches

Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta - parish church, from the church forecourt you have a beautiful panoramic view of the surrounding area.

Regular events

Vino Estate (August 14th and 15th) - Wine Festival
Mostra mercato vino DOC (first Sunday in October) - folk festival with wine fair
Festa dell'olio (November) - Olive Oil Festival
Festa della birra - beer festival