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History of Lastra a Signa near Florence in Tuscany

The original name of Lastra A Signa was “Lastra A Gualandi”, derived from the name of the Gualandi nobles, masters of this land in the 12th century. The name Lastra derives from the workmanship of slabs (lastra) of sandstone which were excavated in the nearby caves. The two plates of the coat of arms of the municipality represent the traditional tools of the stone cutters and quarrymen.

The territory of Lastra A Signa, thanks to its position on the left bank of the Arno, has been since ancient times, settlements of both the Etruscans and the Romans. The village of Lastra A Signa originated in the Early Middle Ages as a resting station with a market along the road between Florence and Pisa.

In 1124, Florence obtained complete control of the area by building a wooden bridge on the river, which remained for many years, the only bridge between Florence and Pisa. In 1377, after the raid of the troups from Pisa, the Florentine government deliberated building new city walls.

It is said that the city walls, still well preserved, were tested by the great Brunelleschi. In 1494, Charles VIII of Angiò, on his way to Naples, met the powerful Florentine Army at Ponte a Signa. In 1529, after strong resistance, Lastra A Signa was occupied and raided by the imperial troups that were beseiging Florence.

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