One of the places that we definitely recommend to visit if you are spending a few days on Mount Amiata is the fortress of Radicofani. Located about 30 kilometers from the top of the mountain, the fortress, or Rocca, dominates the homonymous village of Radicofani and the Val d’Orcia itself.
The origin of the fortress is to be attributed to the Carolingians and dates back to around the 9th century. Located in a strategic position to control the Via Francigena, the Rocca was owned by the monks of Abbadia San Salvatore, the Papal States and the Republic of Siena, passing for three years, around 1297, in which Ghino di Tacco took possession of it. Abandoned and almost completely destroyed around 1735, the Rocca owes its present appearance, however similar to its origin, to the impressive restoration work carried out in 1989.
Today the fortress can be visited entirely. The route includes ancient walkways, both underground and external, shooting positions, ancient ramparts, the old prison, up to the sight of a medieval catapult still in operation.
Inside the tower is the Museo del Cassero, which houses a considerable amount of finds ranging from the Etruscan era to the sixteenth century, passing through the long and detailed history of the Rocca and its restoration. You can discover the history of this fascinating castle, from its origins to the present day, thanks to a series of photographic panels, models and virtual reconstructions. After several flights of stairs and after crossing an ancient drawbridge you arrive at the terrace of the Tower, still surrounded by the ancient battlements: here, rest a moment and enjoy the breathtaking view of the Val d’Orcia!
Info
The fortress is open and can be visited every day, from 10:00 to 20:00 from April and throughout the summer. During the winter it is only open on Saturday and Sunday. The entrance ticket costs 4.00 euros. On request it is possible to arrange a visit to the Rocca accompanied by a local guide. We recommend comfortable clothing, as inside the Tower there are several flights of stairs to climb: for the same reason, we advise against visiting disabled people, who can still relax in the beautiful garden surrounding the Rocca, where it is also possible eating delighting the palate with typical local products.
We advise you to take a look to the official website of the fortress .
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