Castles of Tuscany

More about ‘Castles of Tuscany

The Rocca (Fortress) of Ceserana in the Garfagnana

Church of Sant'Andrea in the remians of the Rocca of Ceserana

The fortress of Ceserana is located in Garfagnana (Province of Lucca). It is located on a hill on the left bank of the Serchio river. Inside it is a Romanesque church dedicated to Sant’Andrea

Vicchiomaggio

The courtyard of Castello di Vicchiomaggio

The Castle of Vicchiomaggio is in fact a splendid Renaissance villa incorporating the remains of a very early, probably Lombard, castle. It is also a producer of some of the best Chianti Classico wines – indeed, some of the best wines in Italy.

Monteriggioni

Monteriggione

Monteriggioni is one of the most famous and attractive castles in all Tuscany. Its curtain wall and fourteen towers are virtually intact, and the interior is now occupied by a small and peaceful village.

Castello di Pierle

Castello di Pierle

The Castello di Pierle (sometimes known as the Rocca di Pierle) is strategically located near the town of Mercatale, in the municipality of Cortona, in the province of Arezzo, Tuscany, and in its prime was one of the most powerful fortresses in the region, since it dominated a unique route between the Val di Chiana, Lake Trasimeno and Valtiberina.

San Gimignano

San gimignano

San Gimignano is famous for its Tuscan tower houses. These were a common sight in Tuscan towns during the late middle ages but most city rulers ordered them to be torn down as a measure to reduce intramural discord.

Castello di Verrazzano

Verrazzano 0394

The Castle of Verrazzano retains the designation “castello” (castle) but is in fact a Renaissance villa built around a mediaeval tower. The castle is famous as the seat of the family of Giovanni da Verrazzano, the navigator who discovered New York harbour.

Brolio Castle

Broliocastle

Brolio Castle is a nineteenth century Gothic revival structure built on the foundations of an important fort originating in the 10 C. During Medici times, Brolio Castle was greatly modified with the addition of some of the first anti-cannon bastions constructed in Italy.