Poggio ai Laghi has chosen to connect its image to local history
Wine and History: Poggio ai Laghi Labels are inspired by the history of Donna Ava
Poggio ai Laghi has chosen to connect its image to local history, sharing the legend through its
labels. Ava, a Lombard woman, lived around the year 1000. She arrived in Monteriggioni to marry
Ildebrando, the heir of Isalfredo dei Lambardi, Lord of multiple regions, including Simignano,
Fulignano, Rencine, Scorgiano, Bigozzi, Castelsinibaldo, Monte Agutolo, Gallena and Fonte Rutoli,
Count of Montemaggio and Pian del lago.
Ava’s Marriage
Isalfredo intended Avas marriage to his son to unite the Lombard and Frankish dynasties, ensuring the Countys peace and prosperity. Ava lived peacefully in her castle at Staggia and had two sons, Tegrimo (Teuzzo) and Beritzo. However, the Chianti mountains harbored many dangers, and Ildebrando frequently had to defend his supremacy by force.
The Marquisate of Tuscany in the year 1000
The Marquisate of Tuscany felt like a land far removed from the Emperor, and not a day passed
without Ildebrando having to reassert his supremacy by force and sword. Thus, the young Ava,
now prematurely widowed, was faced with a choice: remarry and align with a neighboring county
that offered support and protection, or bear the full weight of the county until Tegrimo could
succeed Ildebrando. After a period of mourning and silence, Ava decided to care for the Shire and
its people and announced her intentions. The inhabitants of the Shire rallied to help Ava, tithes
poured in, and the Countess reciprocated by having water mills built near the castles along the
rivers, sparking the growth of small villages around them.
The Building of seven Churches
The community grew and prospered, and Ava continued to build and reclaim. With everyones
help, she had seven new churches built in Marmoraia, Molli, Pernina, Pievescola, Simignano,
Pietralata, and Pieve a Castello, and supported the foundation of a Benedictine monastery along
the Via Francigena, in the Castle of Borgonovo, renamed Badia a Isola. Ava remained at the head
of the county as long as she had the strength. Then, as was common at the time, she gave Beritzo
some lands on the edge of the county towards San Gimignano and left the responsibility for
Staggia and Strove to her eldest son, Tegrimo.
The Monastery of Badia a Isola
After stepping down, the Countess decided to take the vows and veil of the Benedictine order,
living a retired life in her Castle of Staggia. The fact that her tomb has never been found suggests
that Donna Ava was buried under the ancient church of the monastery of Badia a Isola, where the
church dedicated to Saints Salvatore and Cirino was later built.
Research by the University of Siena is ongoing.
