Selvena Explained

Selvena
Coordinates:42.7669°N 11.6422°W
Province:Grosseto (GR)
Comune:Castell'Azzara
Elevation M:694
Population Total:480
Population As Of:2011
Gentilic:Selvenesi, Selveniani, Selvignani
Postal Code:58034
Area Code:(+39) 0564

Selvena is a small hill-town, population 578,[1] in southern Tuscany, Italy. It stands at an altitude of 658m (2,159feet) above sea level[1] some 5km (03miles) west of Castell'Azzara; administratively it falls within the comune of Castell'Azzara.

History

The village dates back to the times of Etruscans and Romans, who exploited its important cinnabar mines. In the Middle Ages, the powerful Aldobrandeschi family (rulers of much of southern Tuscany) built here the massive Rocca Silvana (9th century), which saw an intense history of battles and sieges between the Aldobrandeschi, the Orsini and the Republic of Siena.

Notes and References

  1. Istat, 2001 census.