Send Gift Baskets to Grosseto, Italy

Grosseto’s origins date back to the High Middle Ages. Grosseto’s roots date back to the High Middle Ages. The church of St. George, assigned to Ildebrando degli Aldobrandeschi, whose descendants became counts of the Grossetana Mark until the end of the 12th century, was first mentioned in 803 as a fief of the Counts Aldobrandeschi.

As Rusellae and Vetulonia declined, Grosseto became vital until it became one of the major Tuscan cities. As a result of Lothair III’s order to reinstate his authority over the Aldobrandeschi, German troops besieged the city in 1137, led by Duke Heinrich X of Bavaria. It wasn’t until the following year that Grosseto received the bishopric of Roselle.

After the citizens swore loyalty to the Republic of Siena in 1151, the Aldobrandeschi granted the Grossetani their podestà, along with three councilors and consuls. By order of the imperial vicar, all the Aldobrandeschi privileges and powers were transferred to Siena in 1244 after the Sienese reconquered the city. The fortunes of Grosseto were, after that, shared with Siena. Fortress (rocca), walls, and bastions are still visible today, and they became an important stronghold.

Several times, Grosseto tried to free itself from Siena’s overlordship, but in vain. Umberto and Aldobrandino Aldobrandeschi fought for control of Grosseto, while Guelph and Ghibelline parties fought for control of that city. However, the Sienese armies won, and the town of Siena was named a podestà in 1259. However, Grosseto gained its freedom and fought alongside the Florentine forces in the Battle of Montaperti the following year.

Grosseto fell to its more powerful neighbor, Siena, over the next 80 years following its occupation by the emperor Louis IV, ravaging, excommunicating, and besieging by the antipope Nicholas V.