In the captivating territory of Val d’Orcia and Mount Amiata, fortresses, palaces, and castles stand as imposing testimonies of a very fascinating past. These majestic structures, immersed in breathtaking landscapes, are an irresistible draw for visitors seeking history, beauty, and medieval charm.

Among the most famous is the Radicofani Fortress, which majestically towers over the top of a high hill, offering a spectacular view of Val d’Orcia, as well as the fortress of Piancastagnaio around which the current town was built.

Palaces, symbols of power and refinement, bear witness to the Renaissance and Baroque era that has left an indelible mark on this land. The sumptuous noble residences, with their Italian gardens and elegant facades, are a feast for the eyes. Among the most illustrious, Palazzo Piccolomini in Pienza, with its Renaissance architecture and breathtaking frescoes, is a must-visit for art and history enthusiasts.

Castles, symbols of power and defense, dot the landscape with their grandeur and majesty. These medieval fortresses, surrounded by impregnable walls and towering towers, are a true journey through time. The Arcidosso Castle and the Montalcino Castle, with their crenelated walls and imposing keeps, are extraordinary examples of medieval military architecture that continue to enchant today’s visitors

The fortress of Montalcino-fortress of Montalcino

Fortress of Montalcino

Moving away a few kilometers from Mount Amiata and plunging into the splendid setting of the Val d’Orcia, the Fortress di Montalcino is definitely worth a visit. Built around 1300, incorporating the ancient city walls, the history of the Rocca is closely connected with the Abbey of Sant ‘Antimo first, and with the wars that…

The fortress of Radicofani

Fortress of Radicofani

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…

Fortress of Tentennano

Fortress of Tentennano

Not far from Monte Amiata, about 30 kilometers away, in the middle of the Val d’Orcia, the fortress of Tentennano, in the town of Castiglione d’Orcia, is certainly worth seeing. The fortress, which rises on a rocky spur, has origins that date back to the year 850 and for centuries was one of the most…

Rocca Aldobrandesca of Arcidosso

Aldobrandeschi fortresses in Mount Amiata, a journey into the past

Famous for their size and grandeur, the Aldobrandeschi fortresses have dominated and still dominate the areas of the Maremma and Amiata, around the border between Tuscany and Lazio and Siena’s valdelsa. They are fortifications built or which came into the noble Aldobrandeschi family possession in the Middle Ages. Lombard origin, the Aldobrandeschi descended from the…