Pia dei Tolomei was a gentle and kind woman from Siena in Tuscany who was given a warm mention by Dante in his famous poem, ‘Divine Comedy’. She was a member of the Tolomei family, a rich and powerful family in Siena.
Stay in beautiful vacation rental in Siena where you can discover where Pia dei Tolomei was born and grew up.
Legend has it that at a very young age, she was betrothed to an old man called Nello dei Pannocchieschi. Jealous of the many admiring looks Pia received from young men, Nello imprisoned her in a tower of his castle in Gavorrano.
Stay in beautiful vacation rental in Siena where you can discover where Pia dei Tolomei was born and grew up.
Legend has it that at a very young age, she was betrothed to an old man called Nello dei Pannocchieschi. Jealous of the many admiring looks Pia received from young men, Nello imprisoned her in a tower of his castle in Gavorrano.
But upon hearing snide rumours from his friend that Pia was having an affair with a young man, Nello stormed up to the tower to confront the poor girl.
Despite his accusations being absurd as she was imprisoned in the tower, the evil man became violent and pushed Pia out the window to her death!
In Gavorrano where these tragic events were said to have taken place, an annual festival is held in honour of the innocent Pia. Locals dress up in costume and parade through the streets to the sound of a marching band.
They lament Pia dei Tolomei’s demise and read aloud the passage dedicated to her in the purgatory section of Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy’.
She is referred to as a kind and loving soul, incapable of evil which makes this story even more mournful! Come to the charming town of Gavorrano in Tuscany and learn even more about the life and death of Pia!
Despite his accusations being absurd as she was imprisoned in the tower, the evil man became violent and pushed Pia out the window to her death!
In Gavorrano where these tragic events were said to have taken place, an annual festival is held in honour of the innocent Pia. Locals dress up in costume and parade through the streets to the sound of a marching band.
They lament Pia dei Tolomei’s demise and read aloud the passage dedicated to her in the purgatory section of Dante’s ‘Divine Comedy’.
She is referred to as a kind and loving soul, incapable of evil which makes this story even more mournful! Come to the charming town of Gavorrano in Tuscany and learn even more about the life and death of Pia!