Grancia di Cuna
The massive structure of red brick of the grange of Cuna is one of the best preserved examples of medieval fortified farm, besides being one of the most unusual and interesting architectural complex, the province of Siena. Built where already in the twelfth century there was a hospital dedicated to receiving and giving assistance to the pilgrims and merchants passing along Via Francigena, close, bypassing the Arbia. It appears, from a document of Pope Eugenius III, that this building belonged to the Abbey of the Towers. The entire county became the property of Siena during the course of the thirteenth century, but the farm located on the 'poggiarello of Cuna and Castelluccio' was donated to the Hospital of Santa Maria della Scala, one of the most powerful institutions of the time.
The crab was a fortified farm developed on the site in medieval times, had to find a hospice or a hospital for the accommodation of travelers. Situated in the countryside, in the midst of large landholdings that the hospital had, was the center of the grain harvest and the entire agricultural production necessary for the maintenance of the hospital. Its fortification, which was used to guard against incursions, an interesting architectural style and a sure point of reference for those who resorted in case of difficulty. In practice, the crabs were developed independently in a small village surrounded by walls with gates and towers, houses and farm-fortress at the center.
The rector of the Hospital Eating Menghi Giusto once decided to expand the existing building. His successor, probably Giovanni de 'Tolomei, start building the new barn in 1314, along with the renovation of the church dedicated to Saints James and Christopher, who now sits just outside the walls outside. In the fourteenth century, due to political instability and the military hospital was forced to protect its reserves of grain and corn, to fortify the barn and the new structure became a model for many of the barns built later. The granaries were fortified campaign called 'Grancia'.