Semifonte and Petrognano

The Chapel of San Michele at Semifonte andd the village of Petrognano

Barberino Val d'Elsa

Barberino accommodation

Pieve di Sant'Appiano

Museum of Sant' Appiano

Semifonte

Tignano

Map

Semifonte

On a hill less than a km from Petrognano stands the Chapel or Rotonda of San Michele, a 1:8 scale replica of the cupola of the Duomo of Florence. This structure is all there is to commemorate the city if Semifonte which was razed to the ground by the Florentines in 1202. After the demolition, the stone was transported to Barberino Val d'Elsa and was used in 1204 to build the walls that still stand today.

The rotonda was built in 1597 as a memorial to Semifonte. All that remains of the city of Semifonte are few ruins hidden in the woods or incorporated into houses on the hill.

Chapel of San Michele at Semifonte

Rotonda di San Michele at Semifonte

Petrognano

petrognano

The borgo of Petrognano with Semifonte in the background

The village of Petrognano is located on the road that runs from Barberino Val d'Elsa to Certaldo. This tiny Tuscan "borgo" comprises a few 13 C and 14 C tower houses around the Villa Capponi ( Giannozzi) located in Piazza Brandi at Marcialla. This is because Petrognano was once a village attached to a city that has long disappeared: Semifonte.

Villa Capponi ( Giannozzi)

Villa Capponi ( Giannozzi)

The Chapel of San Pietro was originally a small church that contained several paintings which have been transferred to the Church of San Donnino in Certaldo.

The Montigliano SS. Annunziata Tower House incorporates elements that date from the 12 to 15 C. It has been enlarged several times over the years.

The Morello Tower House with outbuildings dating from the 13 C, traditionally believed to have been part of the outer perimeter of Semifonte.

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