On 15 September 1935 the Mountain Refuge (Rifugio Montano) di Fonte Santa was inaugurated at an altitude of 580 meters with a great concourse of people.
The Fascist OND made this building but, in truth, it was born from the spontaneous initiative of some Antellese people that made a committee, perhaps, to create an environment in which to they could spend joyful and peaceful days and breathe some good air far from the boring regimented days.
It was a real refuge but, given that it had only one room and a small balcony, it was quickly nicknamed, in a very affectionate way, Gloria. A name it maintained even when, in 1938, it was decided to make an extension and erect a tower with an upper floor. The population and local institutions enthusiastically agreed to these new works and everyone felt honored to participate with hours of work or the supply of materials and sums of money. The new refuge was named after Costanzo Ciano, a leading figure of the fascist regime.
During the Second World War the area was the scene of battles against the Germans and La Casina hosted the partisan forces several times until the last days when the Sinigaglia Brigade came down from the mountains to participate in the liberation of Bagno a Ripoli and Florence in August 1944.
The place has always been a destination for excursions and convivial meetings. Since the park of Fonte Santa was established, the refuge also hosts gatherings of botanists and environmentalists.
A few steps from the refuge is a fountain, certainly ancient since it is located on the ancient transhumance Maremmana road traveled since time immemorial. Documented since the fifteenth century with “pleasant and plentiful” water, it was used by travelers and shepherds who, in bad weather, took refuge in a cave carved behind the fountain. In the following period, to indicate the sacredness of the place, a tabernacle (which has now disappeared) was built nearby, probably to replace and renew ancient pagan rituals – like the Fontinalie – that took place in honor of the deities and nymphs of the spring waters.
In the seventeenth century, the “Antellese Pastors” chose the site as the goal of their excursions to recite poems, affix plaques and make ceremonies for new members who they consecrated with water from the spring which they called, rather poetically, the Fonte dei Baci (Fountain of the Kisses).
Massimo Casprini
