Travale: Medieval History, Geothermal Energy and Paths Through the Metal Hills

Travale combines medieval history with a landscape where paths, geothermal energy and regional traditions can be experienced side by side. The town is particularly interesting if, in Tuscany, you want to discover not only individual sights but also specific traces of its past and different ways of exploring it.

Medieval Traces in the Townscape

In the Middle Ages, Travale was an important fortress of the Pannocchieschi family. The Church of Santi Michele e Silvestro, which dates from the 14th century, is also part of its historical context. A plaque in the historic centre bears the phrase “Guaita, guaita male, non mangiai ma’ mezo pane”. In Travale, history is therefore not limited to a single type of building, but is also reflected in an inscription preserved in the heart of the town.

The “Carta di Travale”, dating from 1158, is particularly distinctive. The parchment document is also called “Guaita di Travale” and is kept in the Historical Archive of the Diocese of Volterra. It is considered one of the earliest attestations of the Italian language.

Walking and Cycling Through the Metal Hills

The “Trail of the Castles” is a route that can be completed on foot. In the northern area of the Metal Hills Park, it includes Travale among the medieval castles. For visitors, this means combining movement and history: Travale appears as part of a larger network of medieval fortifications, rather than merely as an isolated town centre.

Those who want to explore the Colline Metallifere by bicycle will find a much more extensive option in the “Gran Tour delle Colline Metallifere”. The route is approximately 250 kilometres long and includes 4,500 metres of elevation gain. It is intended for visitors who want to explore the area by bicycle. With its length and elevation gain, the “Gran Tour delle Colline Metallifere” is an extensive cycling tour; the “Trail of the Castles”, by contrast, can be completed on foot.

Festivals, Crafts and Regional Products

The Fiera di Travale is a century-old fair. It features equestrian performances, a craft market and a market selling typical regional products. In this way, the fair complements the historical themes with a lively presentation of crafts, regional goods and a longstanding event tradition. For your travel planning, it is above all an attraction in its own right if you do not want to experience Travale exclusively through its churches, fortress heritage and historical documents.

Geothermal Energy and a Monumental Tree

The technical and natural surroundings also form part of the town’s character. Travale is home to Enel power plants that generate electricity from geothermal energy. The nearby Corniolo Gigante is also a monumental tree listed in the register of monumental trees. Thus, in and around Travale, historical evidence, energy generation and a specially designated natural monument come together.

For further research, you can also include Boccheggiano Boccheggiano and Gerfalco Gerfalco.

For the broader travel overview: Montieri.