The exceptionally pretty medieval walled hilltop village of Monteriggioni is located in the province of Siena, in the hills of Montagola Senese. Dominating the surrounding landscape, perched atop a peak and overlooking the beautiful countryside of this part of Tuscany, it is considered one of the loveliest villages in Italy and is also called the the "crown of Italy", due to the shape of the ring wall around the hamlet, with its various towers acting like the arches (or points) on a crown. However, within those incredible historic walls and the pretty town there are ghosts of the past that are said to remain and tell a much more disturbing story. So, if you were thinking about planning a last-minute trip, mid-term break, half-term, or Hallowe’en getaway in the area, then this is an ideal spot that combines the picturesque Tuscan setting of your dreams with perfectly spooky legends. Just browse our vacation rentals in Monteriggioni and get planning your trip today!
Founded as an outpost to protect the province of Siena from Florence’s incursions in the 13th century, due to the ongoing struggles between the two states throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance, it was considered an impregnable bastion of Sienese power. Years of laborious, continuous, and costly sieges went by without much of an impact on Monteriggioni.
Founded as an outpost to protect the province of Siena from Florence’s incursions in the 13th century, due to the ongoing struggles between the two states throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance, it was considered an impregnable bastion of Sienese power. Years of laborious, continuous, and costly sieges went by without much of an impact on Monteriggioni.
It maintained this reputation of being utterly impregnable and undefeated until the 29th of August 1554, when Florentine military forces finally managed to enter the village. It is this moment from history that remains as a ghostly presence in Monteriggioni as the Florentine army that was able to breach the walls was only actually able to finally do so because they were helped by the then commander of the garrison, Captain Giovanni Zeti. Zeti, an ex-Florentine, was promised to be spared and to enter into the good graces of the incredibly powerful Cosimo I, should he allow the Florentine army into the village.
Betraying his own army, Zeti opened a breach in the defensive system and gave over the keys to the village, allowing the imperial troops to raise the Medici banner on Saint John's Gate. The hamlet of Monteriggioni was forced to surrender and the poor inhabitants were captured and, horrifically, sent as slaves back to Florence. Many say that the village would never have fallen had Zeti not betrayed them to the Florentines, something he was reported to regret later on.
In fact, it is Zeti that is said to haunt the village, tormented by his remorse over his cowardly and greedy actions. It is said that, on moonlit nights, the captain’s screams of eternal torment and his soul’s desperate lamentations can be heard echoing miserably throughout the town. Specifically, he is said to haunt a supposed secret passage that leads from the well in Piazza Roma and goes directly all the way to Siena itself. Wandering Monteriggioni in search of a forgiveness that he will never be able to be granted, Captain Zeti remains forever tied to the very place that he betrayed.
If you have found a vacation rental in Siena and are planning on visiting the area and exploring all that it has to offer over the next few weeks, it is well worth a trip to the lovely town of Monteriggioni, not only for her many charms and great beauty, but also for this spooky legend. The brave or those interested in the supernatural among you might even want to head there on Hallowe’en night and see if you can spot the ghost of Captain Zeti for yourself or simply hear his tormented howls in the distance across the town. Don’t blame us if you get a fright, though!
Betraying his own army, Zeti opened a breach in the defensive system and gave over the keys to the village, allowing the imperial troops to raise the Medici banner on Saint John's Gate. The hamlet of Monteriggioni was forced to surrender and the poor inhabitants were captured and, horrifically, sent as slaves back to Florence. Many say that the village would never have fallen had Zeti not betrayed them to the Florentines, something he was reported to regret later on.
In fact, it is Zeti that is said to haunt the village, tormented by his remorse over his cowardly and greedy actions. It is said that, on moonlit nights, the captain’s screams of eternal torment and his soul’s desperate lamentations can be heard echoing miserably throughout the town. Specifically, he is said to haunt a supposed secret passage that leads from the well in Piazza Roma and goes directly all the way to Siena itself. Wandering Monteriggioni in search of a forgiveness that he will never be able to be granted, Captain Zeti remains forever tied to the very place that he betrayed.
If you have found a vacation rental in Siena and are planning on visiting the area and exploring all that it has to offer over the next few weeks, it is well worth a trip to the lovely town of Monteriggioni, not only for her many charms and great beauty, but also for this spooky legend. The brave or those interested in the supernatural among you might even want to head there on Hallowe’en night and see if you can spot the ghost of Captain Zeti for yourself or simply hear his tormented howls in the distance across the town. Don’t blame us if you get a fright, though!
Photo credit:
Picture 2: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0
Picture 2: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0
