The Natural Park of the Val d’Orcia is an exceptionally beautiful part of Tuscany with pretty scenery and charming towns but one of the most impressive sights has to be the skyline of Radicofani, which is a typical medieval town topped by one of the most impressive fortresses in all of Italy. The Rocca di Radicofani, or Fortress of Radicofani, is an extraordinary building, steeped in legend and rich in history as it is located on the border between Tuscany and Lazio, had considerable military importance and was an important stop for both pilgrims and travelers. The building itself is fascinating and the views offered from its walls and windows are exceptional, displaying one of the best panoramas over the Tuscan countryside.
If you want to take in a real taste of the landscape of Tuscany, just find a villa with pool in Radicofani and discover this exceptional attraction for yourself.
If you want to take in a real taste of the landscape of Tuscany, just find a villa with pool in Radicofani and discover this exceptional attraction for yourself.
Though the origins of the building are older, it was built over a long period of time beginning in 978 AD. Located at an altitude of 896 meters, it is positioned on the highest peak of the hill affording incredible views of the surrounding landscape; one can see as far as the Apennine mountains, the Lakes Trasimeno and Bolsena and, on a clear day, even the tower of Siena's castle.
The complex was originally made up of two walls around the castle – the outer wall being pentagonal and the inner being triangular in shape – with three towers at the corners that are now destroyed.
Over the centuries, it has been renovated a few times but most of the façade of the castle retains its original character.
The complex was originally made up of two walls around the castle – the outer wall being pentagonal and the inner being triangular in shape – with three towers at the corners that are now destroyed.
Over the centuries, it has been renovated a few times but most of the façade of the castle retains its original character.
The castle is, perhaps, most famous for a former occupant, Messer Ghino di Tacco, the “Gentleman Bandit“, who lived there at the end of the 13th century. Mentioned by both Boccaccio and Dante in their works, he is the Italian version of Robin Hood! Born in Torrita, Siena and from a noble family, he was banished from his town for its delinquent activities and both his father and brother were accused of robbery. He spent several years as a brigand in Maremma before taking the castle in 1297. He is famous for raiding the surrounding lands but always taking care to leave enough to his victims to live. How kind of him!
If tales of complicated folk heroes, beautiful views and exceptional examples of medieval architecture are your thing, then this site is a must-see in Tuscany.
If tales of complicated folk heroes, beautiful views and exceptional examples of medieval architecture are your thing, then this site is a must-see in Tuscany.
Photo credits
Picture 1: SunOfErat / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 2: Patafisik / CC BY-SA 4.0;
Picture 3: Stefano Viola / CC BY-SA 4.0
Picture 1: SunOfErat / CC BY-SA 3.0;
Picture 2: Patafisik / CC BY-SA 4.0;
Picture 3: Stefano Viola / CC BY-SA 4.0
