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Castles, towers and fortresses

San Donato in Poggio: village in the Chianti hills

Located along the road that connects Tavarnelle Val di Pesa to Castellina in Chianti and just 6 km from the splendid Badia a Passignano, San Donato in Poggio is located 418 meters above sea level immersed in the typical Chianti countryside made up of hills with olive groves and vineyards. San Donato in Poggio is a walled village of ancient ...

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Tignano: a medieval castle in Barberino Val d’Elsa

The small village of Tignano, located on a hill facing the medieval village of Barberino Val d’Elsa, is a small castle dating back to the Middle Ages. According to some studies it seems that its existence has been established since the year one thousand. Of its ancient structures, the circular medieval plan is recognizable. Inside the small village you enter ...

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Vetulonia: one of the most important Etruscan cities

Roman road, Vetulonia. Author and Copyright Marco Ramerini

Vetulonia is today a small medieval village located a few kilometers from Castiglione della Pescaia. This small center of the Maremma, in Etruscan times, was one of the most important cities of Etruria. Located in the valley of the Bruna River in the immediate vicinity of what in the Etruscan era was Lake Prile. Vetulonia became an important Etruscan center ...

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Punta Ala: renowned seaside resort on the coast

The Scoglio dello Sparviero (or Troia) and the Scogli Porchetti (or Porcellini), Punta Ala, Castiglione della Pescaia. Author and Copyright Marco Ramerini

Punta Ala is a seaside holiday resort located in the municipality of Castiglione della Pescaia along the road that connects Castiglione della Pescaia to Follonica. This worldly center of the Maremma coast rises along a wooded promontory located between the Forte delle Rocchette and the port of Punta Ala. Along the promontory there was the border between the Grand Duchy ...

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Pari: an ancient castle of the Counts of Ardenghesca

Pari, Civitella Paganico, Grosseto. Author and Copyright Marco Ramerini

Pari is a very suggestive small village located between Siena and Grosseto, practically on the border between the two provinces which is marked here by the Farma river valley, a tributary of the Merse. Sometimes, due to its position, the village is also referred to as the place where the Maremma begins, although more often the real Maremma starts from ...

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The Medici Fortress of Siena: symbol of power

The Medici Fortress of Siena was built starting from 1560 by order of the future Grand Duke of Tuscany Cosimo I de’ Medici. This fortress is located in the heart of Siena, and was built where the old Spanish fortress was destroyed by the Sienese in 1552. The fortress was designed by Baldassarre Lanci and its construction was completed in ...

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Castle of Montecchio Vesponi

Montecchio Vesponi is located about 4 km south of Castiglion Fiorentino on the road (n ° 71) which goes towards Cortona. The castle, very beautiful and evocative, is placed on a hill, at a height of 364 meters above sea level, which dominates the whole plain below. Passing along the road you cannot do without to be attracted to this ...

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Poppi: an imposing castle and a beautiful medieval village

From a distance the structure that characterizes the village of Poppi is undoubtedly the Castle of the Counts Guidi (or Praetorian Palace), which, with its massive structure dominates the town on the hilltop, but the town is very beautiful even for its porches. Poppi’s history dates back to the twelfth century when it became the main residence of the Counts ...

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Monteriggioni: a village surrounded by circular walls

Monteriggioni is a picturesque medieval village completely encircled from circular walls with 14 towers, situated on a low hill, approximately 10 km from Siena. Until 11th century, Monteriggioni was a station of exchange along the via Francigena. Siena transformed Monteriggioni in an imposing fortress in order protect its northern border during the wars against Florence. A FORTRESS ON THE NORTHERN BORDER ...

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