Casentino
It is probable that Leonardo traversed the localities of the Casentino mentioned on his maps, especially at the time of Cesare Borgia and during journeys he made between 1502 and 1504 between Tuscany and Romagna.
This zone is amply illustrated by Leonardo on maps RLW 12277 and RLW 12278. Extremely interesting is folio 910r of the Codex Atlanticus with a graphic representation of the watercourses in Tuscany, in which only 12 localities in Casentino are named: Borgo alla Collina (Commune of Castel San Niccolò), Castel Castagnaio (Pratovecchio), Fornace (Stia), Pagliericcio (Castel San Niccolò), Palagio Fiorentino (Stia), Pompona (Pratovecchio), Porciano (Stia), Pratovecchio, Romena (Stia), Stia, Urbech (Stia), as well as "Bastinoccio", not yet identified in the terrain, but present also on the Massaio maps, preceding those of Leonardo.
Castelnuovo
Leonardo represents and indicates Castelnuovo in the Commune of Subbiano, in the loop of the Arno that widens out toward the Arezzo plain. The fortress, standing in a strategic position at the entrance to the broad Casentino valley about 6 miles from Arezzo, is situated above the town of Castelnuovo di Subbiano, and is considered one of the most important examples of fortified settlement in the zone. In this area, in 1022, the presence of Vico di Sesto, a locality whose name recalled the distance of 6 miles from Arezzo, was indicated.
Chiaveretto sulla Chiana
Leonardo represents and indicates 'Chiaveretto' on the Chiana, an ancient castle that belonged to the Tarlati family, in the Commune of Subbiano.
Montegiovi
Leonardo represents and indicates Montegiovi, of Etruscan origin, in the Commune of Subbiano.
Scheggia
By 'Sceggia', Leonardo indicates a locality in relation to the Scheggia torrent, which flows through the Communes of Castel San Niccolò and Montemignaio, passing under the Pagliericcio bridge (a locality mentioned on folio 910r of the Codex Atlanticus) and flowing from the left into the Solano (a tributary of the Arno). Coordinates taken at Barbiano.
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Texts by Alessandro Vezzosi, in collaboration with Agnese Sabato
English translation by Catherine Frost
Last update 05/mar/2008