Chitignano

Chitignano is the town of memories and water. A verdant corner of silence, it tells the story of a long ago battle for survival through contraband cigars. The town’s Ecomuseum provides a journey inside the community to discover ancient traditions and a desire to look ahead. The old castle of the Ubertini, which welcomes every tourist, and guides them into the town’s centre, is fascinating. Chitignano is also famous for its waters, which were once deemed magic and healing and are still the destination for continuous pilgrimages today. Chitignano is reached from Rassina, via a well-signposted route. Just before the town, your attention will be drawn to the fascinating structure of the Ubertini Castle, romantically surrounded by cypresses, next to the old magistrates headquarters. The town is famous for its mineral water springs, which naturally contain iron and sulphur, and are well known for their healing qualities. Noted from ancient times, they were valued by the count of Chitignano Pier Francesco Ubertini who, in 1638, described them in a report published in Florence.

The waters have a complex chemical composition and are known to have qualities capable of reactivating the digestive system, healing female illnesses and curing skin diseases.

HISTORIC CENTRE

Chitignano is worth a relatively detailed visit, the Contraband Ecomuseum documents past activity of the production and sales of two products in particular; gun powder and tobacco. The factories created for the production of gunpowder, were located along the river at Rassina with machines run by hydraulic power, and had their biggest periods of growth in the 14th and 20th centuries. The two largest gunpowder factories were the ones belonging to the Prati and the Ciofi, which still have significant records remaining today. The activity, as well as being done inside authorised establishments, was also carried out in many ‘pilli’ (holes carved out of stone to mix the components) hidden in the woods, outside the control of supervisory bodies, feeding the market for contraband products. Other activities included the cultivation of tobacco, carried out until 1779 inside the estate of the Conti Umbertini, and also after that (thanks to the privileges given to the Granduca Pietro Leopoldo), securing a certain sense of wellbeing in the local community. After the suppression of the privilege, which took place in 1830, the production of tobacco continued as a contraband activity. The materials were first collected in the areas of Valtiberina and Umbria and then brought to Chitignano to be made into loose tobacco and cigars as a result of the work of the cigar makers, women specialized in this specific process. The finished product was then sold through the contraband market. The routes taken by the smugglers went along the Romagnolo slopes, towards Florence, Pisa and Livorno, towards the Tuscan ‘Maremma’ and across towards Umbria and Le Marche. Inside the Ecomuseum’s building, which is set up as an information centre, there are some work instruments and panels, which display explanation panels about the two processes. Recently, a research project arranged by the “I Battitori” (hunting) association has been granted permission to track down the numerous ‘pilli’ dispersed around the surrounding land, some of which are accessible via specific paths.