Castiglioncello del Trinoro Sarteano

Looking out on the Val d’Orcia, at about five kilometers from Sarteano, on a wide hilltop at about 800 meters, close to the springs of the torrent Oragnano, on the road that takes to the Val d’Orcia, the village, of medieval origin, was once a free township surrounded by walls with a castle in a dominant central position.
The Church of Saint Andrew Apostle and the sun door that opens up on a suggestive view of the clay hills and luxuriant woods is worth of notice. According to certain sources, Count Mantente, member of the family of the Counts of Sarteano, after having become independent from his father, donated half of his castle and the surrounding area to the Hermitage of Vivo, excluding from such donation part of the territory between the hill of Castiglioncelloand a swampy area, called the pool. But the monks of Vivo had to appeal to the Court of Justice many times, since Count Manente’s heirs didn’t want to respect the promise. In the XIII century there were discussions even with the bishops of Chiusi, due to jurisdictions and rights over such property. It seems that in 1251, the monks of Vivo sold the property to the township of Siena, with the approval of the Pope. Then , it seems, that in 1274, Castiglioncello was sold to the Salimbeni family. In 1368, the Castle, domain of the Perugians, was reconquered by Cione di Sandro Salimbeni. In 1404, the Republic of Siena committed itself to defend the territory of the Salimbeni. After a few years, the Salimbeni were expelled from their properties, due to their friendship with the enemies of the Sienese Republic. At the same time the citizens of Trinoro demanded to be recognized as an independent township. Siena accepted such demand but wanted the promise from the citizens of Trinoro that they would never accept any member of the Salimbeni family. In 1497 they reached the agreement. In 1646, Castiglioncello was declared feud of the Grand Duke Ferdinand II, that yielded it to Roberto Cennini with the title of Marquis. Since the end of 1800, the castle passed under the authority of the bailiff of Sarteano.