Nobile Contrada del
Nicchio

The road of the Abbadia (so called to be an Abbey of Vallombrosani dedicated to the Saints Jacomo, and Philip, under whose protection these Contradas already served) is divided into two Contradas, that is above, and below, the one above from the Colonna of the Bridge for the new and old fair, and for the road of the Riviera, and for the straight road it leads from both sides, up to the Forcone, and then to the right to the Santa Eugenia Door, it is for arms red field with two white lists, and with two white stars.

The Contrada of the Abbadia new below, starts from the Church of Saint Maurizio, and then next to Saint George enters the road of Saint Spirit in Poggio Farolfo, and up to the Crusade occupies the houses on both sides, where it leaves those to be on the right, and reaches the Santa Eugenia Door, it is a red field with a blue and white thorn slate and two white spools in said field.

These two Contrade appear at the shows with a machine in the shape of a large Nicchio, represented by the same, as if they almost want to lead the valley in triumph, which starting from Saint Francesco, is being closed on this other part of the Borgo dell'Abbadia new, enclosing in the middle the plain of Follonica, called Fullonibus, abundant in water and sources, which seems to be a beautiful niche formed by nature. The year 1546, appeared with the said Machine of the Nicchio, above which was Neptune with the trident accompanied by 88 Young people dressed in bertina livery with red band, and 20 people on horseback, dressed in Turkish. The year 1612 in a buffalo race led over a chariot in triumph Europe, which accompanied by Tuscany, Austria, and their cities, came to thank the Serenissima Heights of Tuscany of glory, and of the benefits, which from them Provinces themselves receive, and together to pray for their favor towards the Nicchio district. Many are the extras made in the square by these districts, and among others those of 1674 and 1695 and that of 1715 where he represented the fishing of pearls, and in all these he obtained the Masgalano, in the end they put the appearance made in the year 1717 where he represented the city of Siena led by the nymphs of his rivers. The devotion of these inhabitants to Saint Gaetano is so great, that in honor of the same year in 1683 they erected a majestic oratory made at their own expense, and many of them fond of celebrating the Feast in honor of said Saint and gathered their advisers , who then met in the Church of Saint Stefano Company.