Civitella in Val di Chiana
The town of Civitella in Val di Chiana stands today as one of the best-preserved examples of a 6th-century Lombard fortress. Its elliptical layout remains visible within the surviving town walls, marking it as a strategic military settlement from that era. The Lombards occupied and fortified this location during the 6th century to control the surrounding territory. Roman inhabitants had lived here before the arrival of these northern invaders. This specific shape allowed for efficient defense while managing the whole valley below.
In the 11th century, the Bishops of Arezzo took possession of the town and renamed it Civitella del Vescovo. Dante Alighieri later cited the nearby battle of Pieve al Toppo where the city was destroyed in the 13th century. Following the Aretine defeat at Campaldino in 1289, Florence annexed the city. Arezzo regained control in 1311 but held it only until 1348. From that year onward, the seat remained with a Florentine podestà. These shifting allegiances defined the political landscape for centuries.
On the 29th of June 1944, soldiers of the Hermann Göring Division killed 244 citizens of Civitella. This massacre occurred as retaliation for partisans killing two German soldiers earlier that day. The event left deep scars on the community and the region. In 1963, the city received the Gold Medal for Civilian Valour to honor those who died. Enzo Gradassi wrote a book about the events involving a Swedish officer named Max Josef Milde and Giovanni Cau. Their accounts detail the tragic sequence leading to the slaughter.
SS officer Max Josef Milde faced conviction by the Italian military court of La Spezia on the 10th of October 2006. The Italian Court of Cassation ruled in October 2008 that Germany must pay one million dollars to 203 victims of the massacre. However, the International Court of Justice later required Italy to void this judgment due to state immunity rules. These legal battles spanned decades and involved complex international law regarding war crimes reparations. The town council opened a room of memories to preserve the history for future generations.
The Castle was erected in 1048 and surrounded by massive walls before becoming headquarters for the German army during World War II. Allied bombing destroyed the castle in 1944, and it has never been rebuilt since that attack. Other historic structures like Santa Maria Assunta survived the destruction despite being nearby. This church finished its Romanesque style work in 1252 and underwent restoration in 1765. Two small side naves added in 1934 were rebuilt after the air raid caused damage. The contrast between what remains and what is lost defines the townscape today.
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Common questions
When was Civitella in Val di Chiana originally fortified by the Lombards?
The Lombards occupied and fortified this location during the 6th century. This specific shape allowed for efficient defense while managing the whole valley below.
Who took possession of Civitella in Val di Chiana in the 11th century?
In the 11th century, the Bishops of Arezzo took possession of the town and renamed it Civitella del Vescovo. Florence annexed the city following the Aretine defeat at Campaldino in 1289.
What happened to Civitella in Val di Chiana on the 29th of June 1944?
On the 29th of June 1944, soldiers of the Hermann Göring Division killed 244 citizens of Civitella. This massacre occurred as retaliation for partisans killing two German soldiers earlier that day.
Why did Max Josef Milde face conviction regarding Civitella in Val di Chiana?
SS officer Max Josef Milde faced conviction by the Italian military court of La Spezia on the 10th of October 2006. The Italian Court of Cassation ruled in October 2008 that Germany must pay one million dollars to 203 victims of the massacre.
When was the Castle of Civitella in Val di Chiana destroyed?
Allied bombing destroyed the castle in 1944, and it has never been rebuilt since that attack. The Castle was erected in 1048 and surrounded by massive walls before becoming headquarters for the German army during World War II.