One of the best things you can do in Tuscany is just to take your vehicle and drive without a real destination in the back roads of this amazing land. The least you will find is many charming villages, vistas to die for and, maybe, a place where you can get great food without breaking the bank. Sometimes, though, Lady Luck throws you a very juicy bone. I came to this little village near Mount Amiata absolutely by chance, as I was driving through the Brunello region with my motorbike. When I saw that lonely, imposing tower in the distance, I had to turn and see what it was all about. That was a very lucky detour as it allowed me to learn a lot about this special part of my region and get to know better one of the most fascinating characters of our region.

While his name was made popular back in the 1980s by leading Italian politician, Bettino Craxi, who used it as a nom de plume while writing his caustic editorials, this fellow was a real character. A former nobleman, when the powerful in Siena ganged up against him, stealing all his wealth and power, he struck back by becoming one of the most feared highwaymen ever. He had a heart of gold, though, as he never robbed poor people and frequently gave some of the loot to the people of his town. That's why this week What's Up Tuscany will bring you to Radicofani to tell you everything there is to know about Ghino di Tacco, Tuscany's answer to Robin Hood and the town that never forgot him.

If you listen to the full episode you will learn how his sad tale was just an episode of the bloody struggle between the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy, how the people of Radicofani came to appreciate this gentle brigand and how a completely random act of kindness saved Ghino di Tacco from the hangman and turned him into a staunch defender of the Pope. After telling you his tale and legend, I will walk you through the imposing fortress that he stole from the Papacy and how it now hosts a very interesting museum that comes with a 100% working Mediaeval catapult. While from the top of the mast you can have outstanding views of the two most charming valleys of this region, the town of Radicofani has a lot to offer. This mandatory stop on the famous Via Francigena is a real Mediaeval gem, has some seriously pretty churches and an ancient post station that the Medici turned into a small palace. If you're into the dark and mysterious parts of life, don't forget to stop at Bosco Isabella, a Romantic garden that is full of charm but also hosts many secretive rites from the Italian Masonic Order.

While very small, just over a thousand inhabitants, Radicofani is very much alive and comes with several festivals sprinkled across the year. While in June you can learn about ancient artisans, the main event is in September, when the Palio will see youngsters carrying a heavy barrel across town running like mad men. This is a seriously special village that is becoming more and more popular with foreigners. What's not to like? The countryside is amazing, the food is great, you can get real Brunello at almost bargain prices and enjoy some peace and quiet. Next time you think about coming to visit us, think about Radicofani and the Valdichiana. You will absolutely love it.
Email: podcast@larno.it
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Twitter: @arno_it / @WhatsupTuscany

LINKS TO SOURCES (ITALIAN ONLY)
https://www.raffaellabonsignori.it/blog/?ghino-di-tacco--un-bandito-gentiluomo-e-la-fortezza-di-radicofani
https://www.chiarentana.com/it/blog/ghino-di-tacco-una-storia-di-altri-tempi-133
https://www.valdorciamiata.it/radicofani/
https://www.visittuscany.com/it/attrazioni/fortezza-radicofani/
https://www.visititaly.eu/it/luoghi-e-itinerari/radicofani-cosa-vedere

BACKGROUND MUSIC
Pipe Choir - Bom Bom Breakthrough (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Followers (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - Fortress (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - A dark blue arc (Instrumental)
Pipe Choir - The Opening Closing (Instrumental)
Wayne John Bradley - Blues Rock Original Instrumental
All released under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipe-choir-bom-bom-breakthrough-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pipechoir-followers-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-fortress-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/pc-one-a-dark-blue-arc-creative-commons-instrumental
https://soundcloud.com/pipe-choir-2/p-c-iii-the-opening-closinginstrumentalcreative-commons
https://soundcloud.com/ayneohnradley/blues-rock-original-instrumentalcreative-commons
http://www.pipechoir.com/