The Middle Ages
Early Middle Ages: The Abbey of S.Salvatore
When in the 8th century Charlemagne threw the Lombard out of Italy by the order of the Pope and thus became the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, in Tuscany was created a new road, that proved fundamental for the development of numerous centres of the region. The Via Francigena connected western Europe countries with Rome. It was the route the pilgrims who wanted to meet the Pope followed, but actually it favoured the development of thriving commercial activities and the founding of cities such as Colle Val d’Elsa and San Gimignano.
Thanks to its textile industries and to the trades with the Middle East countries, in the 12th century Tuscany became an economic power. The mathematician Fibonacci introduced the Arabic numerals in Italy, which allowed acquiring new knowledge in the field of geometry that Tuscan architects exploited to develop new building techniques and to create ambitious buildings. In the same period, the principles of accountancy that are still used today were developed.
During the Middle Ages in Tuscany long and bloody disputes took place, the most important being the one between Guelphs, supported by the representatives of the new communal bourgeoisie and allied with the Pope, and Ghibellines, still linked to the old feudal regime and allied with the Emperor.
