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La Sassa
Photo © volterratur.it
Photo © volterratur.it

La Sassa

Peace, history and tradition in a castle inhabited since Etruscan times

Perched on the extremity of Poggio al Pruno, just a few kilometers from Montecatini Val di Cecina, it is the highest relief in the area and overlooks the entire coastal plain from Follonica to Rosignano: the Castle of Sassa affords a panoramic view of the sea, from which much of the Tuscan Archipelago can be admired.

Sassa is mentioned as an unfortified settlement in a document from 1128, but as early as 1171 it appears in the written documentation that has come down to us as a castrum, castle, that is a town with fortifications.
The area of the Sterza valley where Sassa is located appears to have been inhabited since Etruscan times and subsequently occupied during the Roman and early and late medieval periods.

During the summer, the town comes alive with tourists who decide to enjoy the coolness offered by the hill; they are welcomed by shows and festivals that, especially in August, allow them to taste local dishes based on wild game.

Medici tower - Sassa
Medici tower - Sassa - Credit: volterratur.it

The village of Sassa developed around the Medici tower that stands on a rocky spur.
The structure used for its construction refers to the construction techniques of the second half of the 15th century, which were introduced following the invention of bombards and gunpowder: the oblique wall, in fact, favored the deflection of cannon balls hurled at the targets.
The keep, which was used for military and defensive purposes until the mid-18th century, was about 8 meters higher than today.
Just near the keep is the Oratory of Santissimo Redentore (the Most Holy Redeemer), a small religious building built at the behest of Lorenzo Regoli during the 18th century and used as the family chapel.

Parish Church of St. Martin the Bishop
Parish Church of St. Martin the Bishop - Credit: volterratur.it

Also worthy of note is the Parish Church of San Martino Vescovo (St. Martin the Bishop), a church originally dedicated to San Nicola (St. Nicholas) and elevated to the status of parish church on October 21, 1361.
Of medieval layout, the building has undergone heavy transformations over the centuries due to collapses and expansions that have given it its present appearance.
The original layout was small: the most substantial intervention can be dated to the mid-19th century, when a new building was constructed in the old cemetery, which completely distorted its orientation.
The bell tower, on the other hand, was erected in 1788, as reported by a plaque walled immediately below the belfry in the south wall.

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