the area was settled by man from at least the 4th millennium bc. in 1269 it was the seat of a famous battle during the wars of guelphs and ghibellines and in 1479 it was attacked by neapolitan soldiers. from the 14th century it was under the control of the city of florence and the grand duchy of tuscany until the unification of italy in 1860. in the 20th century it became an important industrial town. during world war ii it was bombed by allied aircraft. the oldest part of the town is the "colle alta", the higher part, with a well preserved medieval center. the city is also famous as the birthplace of sculptor and architect arnolfo di cambio.