The second half of 1500 was very successful for Asciano. They returned to peace and was manifested the will of the people to resume activities forget for a number of years and thus restore the economy, the complete structure of the country in 1400 had taken a more comprehensive agglomeramento part of the higher arose where the main street after Up to the Third (now Via Mameli).
It was at that time that the citizens of Asciano to repair the consequences of disastrous invasions suffered, wanted to rebuild everything that the barbarians were destroyed and so, with extraordinary zeal and willingness to work, the directors of public affairs and private citizens, flanked with perfect understanding from the most affluent, which intesero the desire of the people and organized the embellishment naselij place on the old millennium. As a result, the wealthy families, procedettero to repair their manors (thereby Spannocchi, Palazzo del Prato) - Common repair Torriozzi and the walls and Bartolomea, the hospital she costrruito-i and maintained the Nannini their residence. The country, therefore, taken a new and life returned to normal in a short time dreamed.
It was in that time of peace, brotherhood, which some maggiorenti prospettarono the idea to accompany the country of a clock. The idea, accepted by the people and the authorities, resulted in the community elargì large amounts (at that time) to build a Tower Merlata that in the Old Country. In short, it was comforting tender, generous contribution of all and every citizen responded to the much stronger than-meritorious built the Tower of Mencia-that the name came from Mascherone very descriptive, fine work of sculpture is above the basin of Doric Onyx not treating the harassment of the two reptiles that volteggiano in love on the head, throws abundant fresh-water continues. A plaque that lists the Latin, located behind the elegant tower, recalls the era of costrruzione. He says "for giving public and private, civilian families, the town hall, priests and by Tolomei Scotti---Amidei Mariotti, all citizens ascianesi, rose in free area, the Tower DHI MDLXXXVI ".
Of course, until the construction, Torre had his clock, connected to Bell, who played only the first hour and now plays rintoccomentre hours, and half an hour chime.
This elegant building is 25 meters high, half under the first order is the castle of watchmaking. After a double order of battlements, stands the castle wrought iron which supports the artistic Campana which culminates with the vane crusade to change reporting of weather. The building is one of the most elegant so that it Pienza and Buonconvento imitarono structure. It rises fast, proportionate, on rooftops surrounding tall with a mandate to advise the community, with its clarion bell, as time passes and with it the miseries of the world.
The bell, in a first time, it seems not to have satisfied the desire of the people so much so that in 1846, for always giving citizens, it was built another, to now, whose vibrant sound, harmonious is heard throughout the extension of the building and over to great distances.
In the current bell you can read the following inscription: "A expenses of the Committee of the People, was made by Terzeo Rofanelli, Pistoia, edited by CPE Mancini, MP. A.D. MDCCCXVI ".
We admire figures merged; Sant'Agata, the Virgin Mary, St. John and ornaments in pregievoli Contour domo and mouth of the bell and make this work valuable support of the tower. In patriotic anniversaries, on the occasion of the Feast landmark at the end of the year and to the solemnity of Sts. Crucifix and in all occasions of the jubilation Campana, playing a judge, gave a sense of joy and celebration.
The Mencia listens throwaway clear fresh water and perhaps it is believed forgotten.
Before the construction of the Tower, Mencia was located above the old niche of fontina, where frequently were blessed soldiers before going into battle, with the phrase "God protect you and you can return victorious."

By: Enzo Pianigiani

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