The San Silvestro Archaeo-Mineral Park near Campiglia Marittima retraces for visitors the history
of mineral extraction activities in the Campiglia hills. The Park is organised around the fortified
village of Rocca San Silvestro on the slopes of Mount Calvi in a magnificent, natural environment.
The village was established in medieval times, between the X and XI centuries, by the noble Della
Gherardesca family who were interested in the area’s rich mineral resources, particularly copper
and silver-bearing lead, which had already been exploited in Etruscan times.
The nobles’ residence
was in the highest part of the settlement, defended by encircling walls; nearby was the church, while the
village spread around the foot of the hill, defended by more stonewalls. In the XII century, the Della Rocca
family, under whom the village economy developed considerably, as can be seen from buildings still visible
today, replaced the Della Gherardesca family. The town walls were rebuilt to include a fortified gateway
preceded by a flight of stone steps.
A square tower and three water cisterns were added to the nobles’
residence, the church was enlarged, and the village houses, mostly one storey, were rebuilt.
Within the walls,
the village was divided into sectors: in the highest part was the nobles’ fortified residence, close by
were the houses of other nobility, the church and cemetery, and lower down were the industrial and dwelling
areas, together with services such as the oil-press, baker’s oven and pottery kiln. The new foundry,
the forge and coal deposits were outside the walls.
««
|
|
