The beginning of a love
The legend of the Stone of Fredi (Sasso di Fredi) was born in the 13th century. Fredi is a charming and noble young man, born of the noble lineage of the Ardengheschi, lords of Roccatederighi. His was a quiet existence, until the hatred among the families of the area joined with his desire for love. In fact, as in the most authentic love tragedies, among all the maidens of the many castles that populated the Maremma at the time, Fredi fell in love with the very daughter of the fierce Peppone, lord of Sassoforte and bitter enemy of the Ardengheschi family.
Secret meetings
The girl, whose name is shrouded in mystery, also reciprocated Fredi’s love, and the two lovers met secretly every night. Fredi would cross the valley and climb to sneak into enemy territory in order to spend time with his beloved. Their meeting place was always the same: a large trachyte boulder, now known as Stone of Fredi, whose special shape offered them a safe and discreet shelter.
A tragic death
Unfortunately, something made the girl’s violent brothers suspicious: perhaps her constant nocturnal movements or perhaps some treacherous confidant revealed their secret. Thus, one evening, poor Fredi found not his beloved waiting for him at the stone, but two menacing figures eager to kill him. In fact, from the forest emerged the brothers of his young beloved, who attacked him and stabbed him to death.
A legend that spans the centuries
Legend has it that every year, on the night of that tragic event, Fredi and his beloved emerge from the shadows of the forest holding hands. At that moment, all the crickets sing for them, fireflies light their way and the air is filled with the sweet scent of plants and flowers, paying homage to their eternal and ill-fated love.