Discovering the History of Reggello: A Journey through Time

Although today Reggello may seem like a quiet Tuscan village, its history dates back to ancient times, as evidenced by the numerous Etruscan, Roman, and Lombard place names that dot the area. However, it is only in the 10th and 11th centuries that we have the first written records of the current settlements.

The Castelvecchio di Cascia makes its first appearance in a document from 1066, while the Castelnuovo di Cascia developed in the 12th century along the area’s main transit route, the Cassia Vetus, which connected Florence to Arezzo.

Cascia, influenced by the Florentine Republic since 1309, organized its territory into leagues governed by a podestà. Remains of the mayor’s palace can still be seen in the village of Borgo in Cascia. The League of Cascia ruled an extensive territory, equal to that of the present municipality, to which the peoples of the League of Incisa were added in 1424.

The settlement of Reggello is documented from 1250. Its early development may have been influenced by its strategic location at the junction of the Cassia and Casentino roads, which connected Valdarno and the Casentino valley.

In the late Middle Ages, Reggello grew in importance, so much so that it housed both the podestarile seat and the marketplace. However, Lega and Podesteria continued to retain the name of Cascia until 1773, when a legislative measure by Grand Duke Leopold established the Community of Reggello. After French rule, the community was reconstituted in 1814 and reached its present territorial arrangement in 1840.

In the decades following its annexation to the Kingdom of Italy, Reggello saw the growth of industries alongside traditional agricultural and craft activities. The downtown square, bustling with stores and inns, becomes the beating heart of social life. Vallombrosa, meanwhile, is preparing to become a renowned tourist-climatic center.

In 1892, the St. Ellero-Saltino railway was opened, paving the way for new development. In the early twentieth century, private villas and hotels were built in Saltino, hosting important personalities of Italian and European politics and culture.

After the period of suspension of democratic institutions in the 20-year Fascist period, Reggello resumed its administrative path with the elections of October 13, 1946, continuing its evolution to the present day.