The village of Torniella, which owes its name to the tornio (lathe) symbol of the village, is located in the municipality of Roccastrada and was already documented in the 11th century as a junction on the road from Siena to Grosseto.
Surrounded by chestnut and oak forests on a hill overlooking the valley of the Farma river, the village is still dominated by the complex of the ancient medieval castle. In fact, in the highest part of the town, the imposing remains of the ancient structures can still be seen, despite the restoration dating to the 16th-century. Originally owned by the Aldobrandeschi family, the castle became part of the territories of the Republic of Siena after a seven-day siege that led to the destruction of the first group of walls.
Between the late 13th and early 14th centuries the Sienese rebuilt the walls and fortifications of the village, which still mark the original part of the town with some clearly visible sections. In the 15th century the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista was built, for which, according to tradition, stones from the ancient parish church of Santa Maria located outside the walls were used. Inside the building is preserved a 16th-century Madonna with Child attributable to Vincenzo Rustici.
It is worth your time to visit, just outside the village, the old ironworks and mill, which bear witness to the area's iron and steel history.
