Must See Places
  • Europe
  • Asia
  • North America
  • South America
  • Africa
  • Oceania
Home › Italy · June 29, 2016 · 3 min read

The Battle Of Anghiari

There is a road that runs straight as a stretched string from Sansepolcro, in the Tuscan Valtiberina, across the valley and then steeply uphill to the most perfect Italian hilltown you are ever likely to visit. There are magnificent medieval walls, towers, cobbled lanes, arched passages, stairs, and views over the countryside. Although tourists are few, the town is famous, because of what happened down the hill, along the same straight road, long ago.

Piazza Baldaccio boasts an excellent gelateria, and splendid views of the valley below. You can eat your ice cream, and imagine the scene on 29 June, 1440, when the brave Florentine soldiers defeated the fearsome Milanese in a titanic struggle. Or so it was said. It lives in history as the Battle of Anghiari.

Actually, according to Niccolo Machiavelli, it was a fairly sedate event lasting four hours, between hired armies on both sides, in which the only casualty was a man who fell off his horse. Machiavelli disliked mercenary armies, who often waged their battles carefully, to fight (and get paid) another day. Possibly Niccolo was exaggerating to make a point. There is a museum in town about the battle; you can decide for yourself.

Page 1 of 2

‹ Previous1Page 2Next ›
Share this story
Facebook X Pinterest Email

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Popular

  • View of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley from a rocky granite ledge under warm morning sunlight.
    The Best View in Every US State, Ranked U.S.A.
  • A woman on a hotel balcony writing in a notebook, overlooking Florence at dusk beside a desk with a laptop and map.
    10 Hotel Booking Tricks That Actually Save Money Travel
  • A man standing in a hotel bedroom holds up a smartphone to take a photo near his suitcase and bed.
    7 Things to Photograph the Moment You Check Into a Hotel Travel
  • An older couple with backpacks holds hands, walking along a wide riverside promenade toward a historic stone bridge.
    10 Destinations Most Senior Travelers Overlook Travel
  • A hiker with a backpack and trekking poles looks out over a stone village toward misty, snow-capped mountains.
    12 Places You Need to See Before You Book Anywhere Else Travel
  • Hilltop stone village overlooking misty rolling hills and valleys during a golden sunrise.
    12 Charming Small Towns in Europe Most Tourists Skip Europe

Index by Region

  • Europe 254
  • Asia 225
  • North America 316
  • South America 31
  • Africa 41
  • Oceania 34

Newsletter

New stories from around the world, in your inbox.

Related Stories

Italy

Ischia – A Unique Mix Of History, Culture, Sand And Sea

Here on Ischia we turn our backs on the sea,” says Riccardo d’Ambra, the owner of II Focolare…

Italy

Tales from the Harvest

A German-speaking bit of Italy, the South Tyrol is a region with a dual identity. But there’s one…

Spain

Top Gastronomic Experiences

France – In Epernay built on champagne – quite literally. Some 70 miles of cellars, filled with 200…

Italy

The Val Gardena: The Perfect Journey With Summer Sun And Winter Snow

The ingredients are simple: prosecco – the very best comes from the Veneto, just to the south of…

Italy

Discover The Secret Italian Cowboy Lifestyle

At daybreak, the sun was already scorching as I coasted into the Tuscan village of Spergolaia on a…

Italy

Explore The Unknown Side Of Italy

Skiing the Dolomites may prompt the question, “Am I in the Alps?” Geographically, of course, the answer would…

Italy

Isola Madre – Mountains, Seaside And Relaxation

Half the fun of visiting Isola Mad re lies in the approach. The great passenger boats rumble across…

Italy

Come To See The Amazing Italian Tower

With, more than 100 towers shooting up from its narrow streets, Bologna was a medieval Manhattan Today, the…

Spain

Barcelona To Rome: Get A Taste Of European Romance

Aromatic roundels of chalky, ripe goat’s cheese adorned with lavender petals and spiky herbs, and arranged by size…

Must See Places

Must See Locations, Events and Places to Travel All Over the World

Inedit Agency S.R.L.
Bucharest, Romania

contact@mustseeplaces.eu

Explore

  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Editorial Policy
  • Advertiser Disclosure
  • FAQ
  • Unsubscribe
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Disclaimer
  • Do not sell my personal information
  • Request to Know
  • Request to Delete
  • CA Privacy Policy

Destinations

  • Europe 254
  • Asia 225
  • North America 316
  • South America 31
  • Africa 41
  • Oceania 34

© 2026 Must See Places. All rights reserved.