The medieval period
From a bull of Henry III, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire, dating back to 1055, it appears that the territory of Murlo was the fiefdom of the Bishops of Siena, who managed to retain their rule for about 700 years despite the profound historical transformations that took place in the surrounding area (the Republic of Siena, the Signoria of the Medici, the Grand Duchy of Tuscany).
Therefore, we can say that the Middle Ages in Murlo was a very long period of time because it reaches almost up to the French Revolution: the legislative activity and the conservative policies of the bishops greatly marked the history of the territory.
During this period the territory of Murlo was enriched with castles, parishes and churches many of which have survived to the present day.
Castle of Murlo with the bishop's palace in the center, now home to the Etruscan Museum
By far the best known is Murlo Castle, which was the main center of the fiefdom, the seat of the bishop, so much so that the small Church of San Fortunato assumed the role of cathedral.
The end of the feud was decreed by Grand Duke Leopold of Tuscany in 1778.
