Your first glimpse of the Rocca Aldobrandesca in Roccalbegna will take your breath away. Have you beseeching the driver of your car - if that isn't you - to stop so that you can take a photograph. And fill you with excited anticipation of exploring it and its colourful town below.

Whilst nearly every medieval castle, tower, or fortress I have reconnoitered in Maremma - and there are a lot - is strategically positioned overlooking the local terrain, la Rocca Aldobrandesca in Roccalbegna is different.


 
Not because it wasn't built on the highest point; it so obviously was. But because the "sasso" on which it is built and from which it takes it's local name of "Il Sasso" or La Pietra" (both meaning stone in Italian), only had room for the fortress and nothing else. Two, tight levels of nothing else of irregular in shape, following as it had to, the topography of its rock.

It is what children's nursery rhymes and story books are made of. For whoever first sang the children's nursery rhyme,

"I'm the king of the castle.
And you're the dirty rascal."

must have been sat looking at "La Rocca" when they did so.
A stunning location and a stunning view from its ramparts, but only for those few who lived within its walls. The rest lived down below, within the walled town for which it kept look out.

Rocca Aldobrandesca in Roccalbegna

Account

by category

Login

Name

by region

Title

Name in English

Il castello di Triana è situato nell'omonima frazione a est di Roccalbegna, che sorse come antico insediamento rurale nel primo Medioevo.
Storia e descrizione
Il luogo è ricordato fin dal 760, ma l'esistenza del castello è attestata solo dalla divisione dei beni degli Aldobrandeschi del 1216, quando fu assegnato al ramo di Santa Fiora. Nel 1388 la Triana fu acquistata dalla famiglia senese dei Piccolomini che lo fecero divenire sede di una signoria rurale nel corso del Cinquecento.

I Piccolomini rimasero proprietari del castello e dei terreni circostanti fino al 1962, quando il castello, notevolmente trasformato e con scarsi resti delle forme originarie, è stato lasciato alla Società di esecutori di pie disposizioni di Siena. L'antico castello medievale è racchiuso all'interno di una cinta muraria con un'unica porta d'accesso: il complesso comprende anche un torrione che costituiva la residenza signorile e due fabbricati disposti intorno ad un cortile.

Castello di Triana

The first certain documentation of the existance of the settlement of Arcidosso is from the year 860 where it is said to belong to the Abbey of San Salvatore. The construction of the first nucleus of the castle, around which the town will develop, is from about the year 1000. From the 12th to the 14th century it was a stronghold of the Aldobrandeschi counts and became an important military fortress, bulwark against invasion by Siena in the Amiata territory.
In 1331, Guidoriccio da Fogliano, seiged it for four months using an army of 4000 soldiers and 400 horsemen, achieving its surrender. After the fall of the Senese Republic, in 1556 it passed under the Medici rule. Cosimo I established many outlying offices here, making it become an important center. Following the Reformation Leopoldina of 1786, the redistributed the state and ecclesiastic lands, Arcidosso passed under the rule of the Lorena. This generated a conspicuous demographic increment and the number of its citizens quadrupled in about 100 years. Arcidosso therefore became historically the most important political and administrative center of Monte Amiata.
The historic center of Arcidosso, one of the most striking of Amiata, develops in a long pyramid shape along the plateau dominated by the Aldobrandesca Fortress. The actual aspect of the fortress is the result of various extensions added to the original Longobard constructio(n from the 11th century, and is made up of an imposing building divide in two parts (one lower than the other), with a square section that rests upon, along a large part of the perimeter, a large foundation, the exterior walls are covered in "filaretto".
The north side of the complex is characterized by the presence of a tower that rises beyond the roof of the highest building in the compound. The top of the tower is crowned by a series of blind arches resting on shelves, the make up the base of the battlements below. The fortress, recently restored, is used today as a space for cultural activities. From the top of the tower there is a splendid panorama of Mount Amiata.

Only three gates of the original medieval walls remain, of which two are original – the Porta di Castello and the Porta Talassese towards the sea. From here, going down towards Codaccio, one finds the Porta dell’Orologio, built in 1851 to replace the Porta di Mezzo.

Rocca Aldobrandesca

The castle was named for the first time in 833 A.D. on a document of the San Salvatore Abbey but the reports brought to light during the recent excavations, started in 1997, revealed no traces antecedent to the 11th century. At that time the monks of San Salvatore Abbey began to vindicate the possession of Selvena accusing the Aldobrandeschi to have taken it illegally. The feudal family won the quarrel, but in the following centuries the fortress continued to be object of desire, suffered seriously damage under the siege of Fredrick Barbarossa at the mid-13th century and subsequently was again disputed between the powerful towns of Siena and Grosseto. Only at the mid-14th century Siena took control on this territory, but only for few years. Selvena became first part of the fief of Pitigliano, controlled by the Orsini family, and then of the Grand Duke of Tuscany.

The fortress’ ruins dominate the landscape. Today is still easy to recognize the traces of its trapezoidal shaped double walled enclosure: the external walls encircled the inhabited area and the inner the feudal palace. To the eastern extremity of the inner walls, just over the main gate, rises a splendid tower with a pentagonal form that played the function of keep. This tower was added to the fortress to increase the defences immediately after the Barbarossa's siege. The quality of the construction is still today clear, it was built with fine worked stones of the highest quality and testifies the wealth of the castle's owners. This side of the fortification is also the only one not defended by the natural precipices of the rocks and the walls have here their vertex creating a barbican at defence of the entrance.

http://www.monte-amiata.eu

Rocca Silvana (Castell'Azzara)

Castiglion del Torto, a castle that occupies most of the village of Castiglioncello Bandini, is a castle located in Castiglioncello Bandini; it was built in the Middle Ages, more precisely during the thirteenth century.
Originally it was a possession of the Aldobrandeschi family. After further changes of ownership, it was sold to the Sienese family Piccolomini-Bandini: this last family gave the name to the village where the castle stands. Over the centuries the complex has been renovated several times, resulting in various changes to the original thirteenth-century appearance: among them, it is worth mentioning the construction during the sixteenth century of the inner courtyard in Renaissance style and some reconstructions in the late nineteenth century neo-medieval style.
Castiglion del Torto is an imposing building consisting of a series of factory buildings and two turriform structures, with external walls entirely covered in stone. Overall, the planimetric development is quadrangular.
While the tower with a round section with a cordoned base has retained most of the original stylistic elements of the late Middle Ages, the most imposing tower with quadrangular section is the result of nineteenth-century reconstruction in the neo-medieval style, with mullioned windows and summit crenellation. The remaining complex is the result of reconstruction work carried out in the sixteenth century, where the various buildings leaning against each other enclose a valuable courtyard in the Renaissance style.
The north-eastern and the south-eastern side overlook a large external courtyard, while the south-western and north-western sides face the surrounding village: in particular, the north-western side has a rounded arch access door that leads directly to the part of the village where the square is. In this square stands the church of San Nicola. The same side is preceded by a curtain wall which is part of the structure to adapt to the orography of the hill on which it stands.

http://www.panterasmus.eu

Castiglion del Torto

Il Cassero Senese, comunemente noto come la Roccaccia, è la principale fortificazione presente a Montelaterone, nel comune di Arcidosso.
La fortificazione fu costruita dai Senesi nel XIII secolo, integrandola nel preesistente sistema difensivo fino all'epoca costituito unicamente dalle preesistenti mura di Montelaterone, caratterizzate da una doppia cinta muraria.

Il complesso rivestì notevole importanza fino alla sua permanenza nel territorio della Repubblica di Siena. Una volta inglobato nel Granducato di Toscana alla metà del XVI secolo, il cassero non fu più ritenuto strategico dai Medici ed andò così incontro ad un lunghissimo ed inesorabile declino.

Nei secoli successivi, gran parte della cinta muraria, di cui il cassero era parte integrante, fu inglobata da altri edifici; soltanto negli ultimi anni del XX secolo, alcuni interventi di restauro hanno permesso di salvaguardare i ruderi dell'antico Cassero Senese.

Cassero Senese (Montelaterone)

Il castello di Montepò è una possente ed elegante struttura fortificata che sorge nella campagna a nord di Scansano, a circa 30 km a est di Grosseto.
Storia
La struttura fortificata sorse attorno all'anno mille nelle vicinanze di un'antica pieve, ma venne quasi interamente ricostruita in epoca trecentesca quando era controllata dai signori di Cotone.

Verso la fine del Trecento, il castello passò sotto il controllo di Siena che lo vendette nel corso del secolo successivo alla famiglia dei Sergardi.

In epoca rinascimentale, i nuovi proprietari trasformarono la struttura castellana in fattoria fortificata e, nelle epoche successive, vennero fatte alcune ristrutturazioni che portarono ad ampliamenti. Gli ultimi restauri effettuati nella seconda metà del secolo scorso hanno riportato il complesso all'antico splendore.

Aspetto attuale
Il castello di Montepò si presenta come un raro esempio di villa fortificata senese del periodo rinascimentale, grazie agli interventi di trasformazione portati avanti tra il Quattrocento e il Cinquecento.

Il complesso, a pianta rettangolare, si dispone con i corpi di fabbrica attorno ad un cortile interno; è fiancheggiato da quattro torri angolari a sezione quadrata, che in passato svolgevano funzioni di avvistamento. Le strutture murarie si presentano in pietra, con alcuni rivestimenti in laterizio sulle facciate che si aprono sul cortile interno.

Il castello, attualmente proprietà dei Biondi Santi, è parte integrante di una rinomata azienda agricola specializzata nella produzione di eccellenti vini; in precedenza, era stato luogo di ispirazione dello scrittore britannico Graham Greene.



Castello di Montepò

Castello di Potentino History
The Castle of the Potentino is located outside Seggiano. The castle was built around the year one thousand as an ancient possession of the bishops of Chiusi, whose diocese extended, at the time, to the whole area of ​​Mount Amiata. In the eleventh century there is the attestation that belonged to the Visconti di Campiglia. In the thirteenth century it came under Sienese control and belonged to the Bonsignori, Tolomei, Salimbeni and Bindi families. Later, its importance as a boundary fortress was declined, it was transformed into an elegant holiday resort and it was bought first by the Mignenellis and then by the Venturi family. Enrico Venturi, by testamentary disposition, donated it to the Hospital of Santa Maria della Scala in Siena.

In 1600 it was bought by the Marquis Giovanni Battista Bourbon Del Monte who kept it for centuries and only in 1906 sold it to the Swiss citizen Hemmeler. Today the complex is the heirs of the British writer Graham Greene who turned it into a renowned farm.

The castle of the Potentino still presents its original medieval appearance, occupying two distinct areas; the first, more external, includes the various annexed rural buildings and leads to the second, more internal area, which is accessed through an arched door that opens up along a curtain wall with summit blackbirds.

The main area consists of the castle properly called L-shaped around a courtyard. The building, unlike the remaining complex, is in Renaissance style following the interventions made by the Sienese between the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, with the architraved access door surmounted by a noble coat of arms; on the roof there is a small bell gable. Beyond the main area there is a third well-defined area where there stood an Italian garden, now completely resized and modified.

At the castellano settlement, there is the noble chapel dedicated to Sant'Antonio da Padova. Today, the estate has been revitalized and is dedicated to the production of wine, grappa and oil thanks to the 4 hectare vineyard and a suggestive olive grove.

https://www.histouring.com

Castello di Potentino

Within a medieval village of the twelfth century, still inhabited by families from the area still very tied to the territory and tradition, surrounded by the Tuscan hills, from cypress trees and vineyards as far as the eye can see, it rises Castel Porrona Relais & Spa; an elegant one boutique perfect for relaxing stays and food and wine experiences in the name of good food and good Tuscan wine.

The hotel consists of twenty-five rooms and from a suggestive Medieval Castle, it is located in the heart of the Tuscan Maremma, in the province of Grosseto, in Cinigiano and, open from Easter until November, it is available for individual stays, family trips or private events such as weddings, anniversaries or corporate events, immersed in the complete privacy and charm of the Tuscan countryside.

A few minutes by car and guided by the in-depth knowledge of the concierge, guests can visit places of great tourist, historical and cultural interest such as Siena, Florence, Montalcino and the well-known seaside resorts of Punta Ala and Castiglione della Pescaia, thus combining pleasant excursions near the high quality of services provided by the hotel.

The rooms of Castel Porrona Relais & Spa are composed of Classic, Deluxe, Suite and the most romantic Executive Suites. In addition to these, the property also offers five perfect apartments for family stays because they have a kitchenette, separate rooms, a living room and services.
All the rooms have been furnished keeping the rustic Tuscan style with exposed wooden beams and stone sills embellished with antique furniture, curtains and precious colored fabrics that distinguish every single room; the chromatic theme of the fabrics varies from violet to blue-mustard, from gray to red, with acanthus leaves motifs or elegant stripes.

Among the other services also offered the excellent quality of food offered by the Il Chiostro restaurant from the Tuscan and typical Italian flavor combined with a wine list strongly linked to the territory; between the selection of the products offered by Il Chiostro also the excellent red wines and Brunelli labeled Castel Porrona as well as champagne and extra virgin olive oil, all also available in the shop inside the village.

Do not miss theAgua Spa, with an Arabian flavor and fully furnished with precious decorations from Morocco, it offers a heated indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna and calidarium as well as a panoramic outdoor pool, a fitness room and a pool bar for refreshing cocktails or pleasant poolside snacks.
A unique place where you can combine the taste of history with comfort of luxury.

History
Castel Porrona is located not far from the town of Cinigiano, a pretty village in the province of Grosseto. The village, built around the twelfth century, has belonged for about five centuries to two of the largest families of the Sienese nobility, the Tolomei family and that of the Piccolomini which dominated the two halves of the village. In 1894 Castel Porrona was bought by Pietro Emilio Targes de Rochefort, an important exponent of the French high nobility, who gave orders to restore the village in a neo-Gothic style to re-propose and restore the lost stylistic elements of the Middle Ages to splendor. Today Castel Porrona is a beautiful village located halfway between Grosseto, Monte Amiata and the famous Val d'Orcia, in the Siena area and partly inhabited by a few locals and the remaining part used as a private accommodation. The hillside position is strategic because it offers a breathtaking view from the surrounding countryside, vineyards and olive groves.

The complete restoration of Castel Porrona has taken place over the last few decades and has been realized in perfect harmony with the pre-existing structure respecting the architectural criteria of the entire complex and highlighting what was authentic there was safeguarding the medieval spirit of the structure. The buildings that have remained uninhabited over the years have been purchased from the current private property to be used as a hotel.
The Castle, from which the village takes its name, is today part of the hotel and stands in the center of the town square, in one of the most panoramic points of the Maremma offering a view as far as the eye can see on the landscape, historical and artistic beauties of Tuscany. The complex is available for exclusive use and offers unique and exclusive stays in the five suites (each with private bathroom), numerous reading rooms, large dining room, butler available and a panoramic tower from which you can see the Tuscan landscape immersed in complete privacy and in the silence of a well-preserved small town.

The rooms of the hotel, as well as the private houses of the premises, are located within the ancient walls of the village and give hotel guests and tourists who stroll through the streets a show of authentic medieval architecture and pleasant quiet. Suggestive glimpses such as the ancient well, the monumental Castle or the parish church where religious services are still held for the locals, are the most photographed corners of Castel Porrona.

https://www.dimorestoricheitaliane.it


Castel Porrona 

Since the 11th century the area of southern Tuscany around the castle of Piancastagnaio was the object of the expansionist politics of the powerful feudal family of the Aldobrandeschi.

The whole territory is rich in historical remains tied to these potentates. Between the possessions of the Aldobrandeschi, Piancastagnaio was almost always the site of allotted to the noble family from the monks of the Abbey of S.Salvatore since the beginning of the year 1000. Subsequently it was claimed from the Viscounts of Campiglia and during the 13th century it became object of ulterior disputes between the cities of Siena and Orvieto.
The Orvietani gained control of the powerful fortress in the 1303 and maintained it for around fifty years. At this point they entered in the quarrel with the heirs of the Aldobrandeschi, the Orsini of Pitigliano, to oppose the new aims of the Senese Republic. Only between the years 1415 and 1430 Siena finally succeeded to taking possession of Piancastagnaio, that was attached to the Capitanato of Radicofani. In 17th century the settlement became a Granducal fief and finally, with the Leopoldine reforms, the chief town of the the same community.

The country town has a circular form, once had surrounding wall enclosure with alternating square towers and four gates. The walls and the gates have been almost entirely demolished, with the exception of few lines, three towers, two with semicircular shape and the other squared, the main city Gate beside the Rocca and other three minor Gates in the southern front of the walls: 'Porta Romana', 'Porticciola' e 'Porta di Voltaia'.
In the highest point of the inhabited area rises still today the mighty Rocca Aldobrandesca.

The construction has a square form and is endowed with tall and strongly inclined walls. From the enclosure rises two towers , the greatest, either as thickest, had functions of keep, the other, in the opposite angle, defended the underlying gate of access to the city.

The whole complex was endowed with machicoulis and battlement, still today almost intact. The Rocca is under good condition thanks to careful work of restoration.

https://www.castellitoscani.com

 The Aldobrandeschi (Piancastagnaio)

Already known in Etruscan and Roman age, from the 6th century center of primary importance of the zone as Episcopalian seat, Sovana was conquered by the Longobard in the years 592-605 and became the most important power center of the zone.

It can seems strange but, despite the relief that the place has always had above all to institutional level, but the history and the evolution of the city  is unknown until the 12th century, due to the lack of documentation.
In the Middle Age we find Sovana as a castle inserted in the territory of the Aldobrandeschi family.
In this period was erected the fortress, that overlook, as a sentinel, the urban inhabited area, and of all the other numerous public buildings and churches.
This fortunate period of maximum shine for Sovana was due to the fact that Ildebrando of Soana, born here,  became Pope, as Gregorio VII�, in the year 1073.

The importance of Sovana decreased more and more and when, in the 14th century, the control of the zone passed to the family of the Orsini, these preferred to assemble their affairs on the new strengthened settlements of Sorano and Pitigliano.
The economic crisis and the prostration for the 'malaria' brought to a notable decrease of the population and the frequent wars between the Orsini and the Senese Republic for the control of the castle didn't help Sovana to rise up again.

The following centuries didn't even serve to reverse the tendency: in 1833 the country counted only 64 inhabitants! Today, although object of numerous restorations, the country also appears solitary and partially abandoned, it counts less than 500 inhabitants.

https://www.castellitoscani.com