Rectory of St. Niccolò in Montieri
An evocative archaeological site that houses the remains of a truly rare church
The Rectory of St. Niccolò in Montieri is a mysterious and fascinating site that houses the remains of a truly unique church, characterized by its unusual six-petaled flower-shaped plan.
Not that far away from the center of the village, following the signs, we follow a path that brings us to a fascinating archaeological site, full of popular legends.
The structure, closely linked to the mining and metallurgical activity that characterized the whole surrounding area, was built in the Early Middle Ages, around the 11th century, when Montieri was one of the main mining research centers in Tuscany. Focused on silver and copper mining, this municipality in Northern Maremma, already a thousand years ago, attracted the attention not only of neighboring dioceses and cities but also of the Empire, so much that it became an important landmark for the area. Although it is very likely that the Rectory of St. Niccolò is closely linked to the mining activity, we still know very little about its history.
In fact, the site is still the subject of historical-archaeological investigations, and among the finds recovered so far, many historical mysteries still have to be revealed.
Access to the site is always free or, in specific periods of the year, there is the possibility to participate in hike routes with a guide, asking information at Montieri Tourism Office.
