Bettolle Sinalunga

Located on the western hills of the Valdichiana, Bettolle has very ancient origins, almost certainly Etruscan, as numerous archaeological finds have been found in the area. The origin of the name also goes back to the Etruscan era. According to the linguist Pieri, in fact, the name Bettolle could be derived from an Etruscan personal name (Petui). However, there are conflicting opinions on the origins of the name.

Repetti believes that the name Bettolle is due to the existence in the vicinity of a birch or alder forest. However, Pieri's interpretation seems to be more plausible, since the presence of a group of plants has always given rise to a name ending in "eto" or "eta": Frassineto, Querceto, Cerreto, etc.

It was only after the year 1000 that a small urban center and subsequently a castle rose on the Bettolle hill. Only in 1014 does a document report the name of Bettolle for the first time in history.

Bettolle, like many other villages in the area, became around 1100 a fiefdom of a branch of the Cacciaconti family, who called themselves "Comites de Betulla" or counts of Bettolle, who possessed feudal rights as well as over this castle, also over those neighbors. The most powerful of the feudal lords of Bettolle was undoubtedly Count Manete de 'Cacciaconti who, in 1221, agreed to submit Bettolle to the Republic of Siena.

Like all border castles, Bettolle too suffered many attacks and destruction over time. When it was heavily looted in 1383, the Republic of Siena exempted it from paying any tax for 10 years and only in 1438, its inhabitants were obliged to pay like all other Sienese subjects.

In 1553 Bettolle was set on fire by Captain Ascanio della Cornia, lord of Castiglion del Lago, during the siege of Siena in the same year. In 1593 the people of Bettolle asked to join and submit to the community of Asinalunga.

Between 1733 and 1739 the place suffered the disappearance of many inhabitants due to plagues, apparently caused by the drainage of the surrounding swamp. After the reclamation, large farmhouses were built in its territories, which can still be seen both in the village and in the open countryside.

It should be remembered that Ezio Marchi was born in Bettolle, the father of the "Chianina" breed of cattle, now famous all over the world for the goodness of its meat.