It is one of the best-preserved of the network of Lombard fortresses of the 6th and the 7th century in central Italy, strategically placed to control the whole territory.

In the 13th century the city was destroyed after the battle of Pieve al Toppo, cited by Dante Alighieri and fought nearby between Arezzo and Siena.

A book by Enzo Gradassi about Helga Elmqvist [sv] (the Swede) and Giovanni Cau, recounts the historic events that led to the massacre.

On 10 October 2006, SS Max Josef Milde was convicted by the Italian military court of La Spezia for his role in the Civitella massacre.

[4] However, the International Court of Justice later ruled that Italy was required to void the judgment out of respect for Germany's state immunity.