All the Castles of Tuscany

Acciaioli Castle

The first information we have on the Castello dell'Acciaiolo dates back to the middle of the 14th century when the fortification, also know as 'villa' due to its mainly residential destination, belonged to the Rucellai family.

Bandinella Tower

The Bandinella Tower rises on the river Arno banks opposite the side where, on the top of a hill, stands the Incisa Castle (a construction of the 11th century formerly known as 'Old Castle of Ancisa' ) of which only a few traces today remains.

Barberino Val d’Elsa Walled Town

Barberino Valdelsa lies in the heart of Tuscany between Florence and Siena on the watershed of the Elsa and Pesa river valleys, in an area that simply pulsates with history and legend.

Castel di Poggio

Castel di Poggio stands atop a hill in the countryside of Fiesole, between Settignano and Monte Ceceri, in a panoramic position of considerable scenic interest. The complex comprises the castle, an inner courtyard and an extensive woodland park surrounding the summit of the hill, creating a striking ensemble in which the architecture blends harmoniously with…

Castle of Calenzano Alto

Calenzano has maintained its characteristic hilltop, fortified village quality to this day. Situated on an almost 200-meter high hill, it’s bordered on the West by La Marina stream, the last of Mugello’s mountainside on the North, and surrounded by the Calvana Mountains on the West and Morello mountain on the East.

Cepparello Castle

In the municipality of Barberino Val d'Elsa, between the provinces of Florence and Siena, near the better known castles of Paneretta and Monsanto, on a wooded ridge in the valley of the Drove stream, are the ruins of Cepparello Castle. Its origin dates back to around 1100.

Mura di Firenze - La Seconda Cerchia Comunale 1

Florence City Walls

Florence's city walls have grown with the city itself; there are up to six different layouts, the last of which dates back to the mid-sixteenth century.

il Palagio Castle

The very first mention of the 'Palagio' castle dates back to 1252. Events of different nature have distinguished the story of this important stronghold, whose proportions and impregnability have enabled it to hold out against the several raids during the centuries.

Lastra a Signa Town Walls

Lastra a Signa, toponym derived from the presence in this area of numerous stone caves, until the 1200 was known as Lastra dei Gangalandi, from the name of the family that had its lordship. The origin of the settlement dates back before the year 1000, fief of the Cadolingi di Fucecchio.

Legri Castle

The Castle of Legri overlooks the Marinella valley, from an altitude of 250 meters, and keep a close watch on the ancient road which join the Marina valley to the Mugello area. The first historical reference dates back to an imperial bull of 1191.

Lucardo Fortified Village

What remains of the ancient fortified village of Lucardo rise on the top of a hill covered with vineyards and olive groves in the heart of the Val d'Elsa . This settlement is perhaps the most ancient of this area, now municipality of Montesperetoli. Its name derives from the German 'Leocard' or 'Liuchard'.

Malmantile Town Walls

The small fortified village of Malmantile is encircled by one of the finest and well-preserved medieval town walls of Tuscany. The origin of the settlement are unknown, it was mainly a military stronghold along the ancient road that connected Florence to Pisa and only after became a town.

Monteloro Castle

The castle of Monteloro (Mons Laurus), also known as Castello dei Vescovi di Fiesole (Castle of the Bishops of Fiesole), is certainly one of the oldest in the Florentine. The remains of the castle are now surrounded by a grove of cypress trees at the top of a rocky hill.

Nipozzano Castle

Located on the top of an hill 350 meter high that dominates the confluence between the rivers Arno and Sieve, the castle of Nipozzano was one of the most powerful fortifications of the Florentine countryside, and still today conserves great part of its medieval structure.

Oliveto Castle

The Oliveto castle, really more a fortified villa than a castle, was built in 1424 on the top of a hill dominating the inner valley of the Pescaiola stream, tributary of the river Elsa, by the Florentine nobleman Puccio Pucci, to protect his properties and to be used as country residence or refuge in case of politic bitterness in Florence.

Palazzaccio di Marcignano Castle

Palazzaccio di Marcignano is the name by which today we call the ruins of the Castle of the Da Gavignano. The fortress formed a defensive triad with the castles of Tizzano and of Musignano, situated off the road that led to the Maremma.

Palazzo dei Vicari of Scarperia

The core of the stronghold is the so called Public Palace or Palace-Fortress: a classic and austere residence on the inner facade – towards the main square of the town – fortress in the external. The two sides are joined together by two great walls curtains.

Paneretta Castle

On the heights gently sloping towards the Val d’Elsa, stands the villa-farm of La Paneretta, an elegant residence that still retains evident traces of its origins as a 15th-century fortress. The castle was likely built following the abandonment of Cepparello, an older stronghold located further down on the opposite side of the valley.