From an historical point of view, the Park’s territory represents a homogenous cultural landscape particularly for its medieval past between the 10th and the 13th centuries.
The interest in the area’s metallurgical resources predates the creation of a pilgrim’s route called the Via Francigena that goes from the Siena area towards the Maremma coast through the ‘Colline metallifere’ territory. In this area a unique processes of development occurred during a period of general epochal change known as ‘the 12th century renaissance’.
In that age, from Chiusdino to Castiglione crossing Massa Marittima, there was a revival of the villages, the castles, the cathedrals. The mines in Travale, Gerfalco and in the Merse reopened. Metallurgy and mining activities found a new lease of life. Business along the coast was resumed and money began to flow in thanks to the Via Francigena. All this contributed to an increase in the area’s wealth and general development.