Ponte della Pia Sovicille

The Pia Bridge is a bridge of Roman origin but rebuilt in medieval times who is on the road 73 Senese Aretina shortly after the village of Rosia in the Sovicille, just before the Castle Montarrenti. The bridge consists of a single arch and the present structure dates back to the early thirteenth century, connects the two banks of the River Rosia and in the past has played an important role along the route of the ancient Via Massetana linking to Siena Maremma, and in particular the Metalliferous Hills and Massa Marittima. The structure is unfit for use, if you do not walk, even for the lack of lateral shoulders, which were destroyed during the Second World War by the passage of the German tanks. Once across the bridge we find ourselves on the other side of the gorge where the stream flows and where there is a road called "manliana" leading to the hermitage of Saint Lucia in Rosia. According to tradition, its name derives from the Sienese noblewoman Pia de 'Tolomei, which perhaps belonged to the family Guastelloni of Siena, wife of In Inghiramo, who claimed ownership of Castel di Pietra and who had married after being widowed in 1290 of her first husband. Pia de 'Tolomei, mentioned by Dante Alighieri in the Divine Comedy, could not have children with her second husband, who fell in love with another woman, even accusing her of treason, he would kill her by throwing it out of the rock on which stood Castel di Pietra in Maremma. According to tradition, the rock is called "Jump the Countess." Legend has it that the ghost of Pia de 'Tolomei appears on the bridge during the nights of the full moon, completely dressed in white, and through it without touching the ground. Little is known of the true story, also that the lady is actually belonged to the family of the Ptolemies or was sacrificed only for political interest, perhaps related to the property he had inherited from her first husband and she wanted to be recognized for the two children in the first marriage .