Montecchio Vesponi is approximately 4 km to south of Castiglion Fiorentino on the road (n°71) that goes towards Cortona. The castle, much beautiful and evocative, is placed on a hill that dominates, to a height of 364 meters above sea level, the plain below.
Montecchio was called in 11th century Castrum Montis Guisponi (name that derives from the Arezzo family Guasconi). It belonged to the marquises of the Monte of Santa Maria, was later a free commun, and passed then to the rule of Arezzo and after the battle of Campaldino, it was under Florence rule. In 14th century Florence handed over it as a feud to John Hawkwood (Giovanni Acuto, 1320-1394), he died in 1394 in Florence, in whose Dome it's his funeral monument, masterpiece of Paolo Uccello.
Of the castle still remain imposing walls with merlons and square towers of guard, the walls have a total length of 263 m., inside of the town-walls is a central tower 30 meters high to whose flank is placed the keep. Today the castle is a private property, it has been recently partially restored.
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Montecchio Vesponi, Castiglion Fiorentino, Arezzo |
Montecchio Vesponi, Castiglion Fiorentino, Arezzo |
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Montecchio Vesponi, Castiglion Fiorentino, Arezzo |
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