Castelfranco di Sotto

Castelfranco di Sotto is a comune (municipality) in the Province of Pisa in the Italian region Tuscany, located about 40 kilometres (25 mi) west of Florence and about 30 kilometres (19 mi) east of Pisa.

Castelfranco di Sotto
Comune
Comune di Castelfranco di Sotto
The bell tower seen from Corso Bertoncini
Coat of arms
Castelfranco di Sotto Location of Castelfranco di Sotto in Italy Show map of Italy Castelfranco di Sotto Castelfranco di Sotto (Tuscany) Show map of Tuscany
Coordinates: 43°42′N 10°45′E
Country	Italy
Region	Tuscany
Province	Pisa (PI)
Frazioni	Orentano, Villa Campanile, Galleno (partly), Staffoli (partly)
Government
• Mayor	Fabio Mini
Area [1]
• Total	48.4 km2 (18.7 sq mi)
Elevation	16 m (52 ft)
Population  (31 October 2008[2])[3]
• Total	12,179
• Density	252/km2 (652/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Postal code	56022
Dialing code	0571
Patron saint	San Severo
Saint day	November 18
Website	Official website

Castelfranco di Sotto borders the following municipalities: Altopascio, Bientina, Fucecchio, Montopoli in Val d'Arno, San Miniato, Santa Croce sull'Arno, Santa Maria a Monte.

History

Castelfranco is an ancient medieval village, whose name appeared for the first time in 1215. Tired of the battles fought in the area at the time between Florence, Lucca and Pisa, the population of nearby villages Vigesimo, Catiana, Paterno and Carpugnana decided to build here a defensive castle, named Castello di Franco, later changed to Castelfranco.

In 1966 Castelfranco was flooded by the river Arno.

Culture

Every year in Castelfranco the Palio dei Barchini is held.