We have talked about Poppi Castle before but only to discuss the grisly legend of Matilda, the most beautiful woman in the area that was married off young to an old powerful man from the Guidi family, who ruled Tuscany with an iron fist.
None too fond of her husband and jealous of the freedom of the common people, she began sending for eligible young bachelors to come to Poppi Castle to do repairs or entertain her. Each evening, she would choose one of these men to come to her chamber to spend the night and the following morning, to avoid having her adultery discovered, she pushed them through a trapdoor where they fell to a bloody death among razor blades and broken glass. When the number of missing young men began to be noticed, rumours of Matilda spread and, legend says, the townspeople stormed the castle. Matilda was trapped in a tower of the castle and the door was bricked up, leaving her to starve to death.
None too fond of her husband and jealous of the freedom of the common people, she began sending for eligible young bachelors to come to Poppi Castle to do repairs or entertain her. Each evening, she would choose one of these men to come to her chamber to spend the night and the following morning, to avoid having her adultery discovered, she pushed them through a trapdoor where they fell to a bloody death among razor blades and broken glass. When the number of missing young men began to be noticed, rumours of Matilda spread and, legend says, the townspeople stormed the castle. Matilda was trapped in a tower of the castle and the door was bricked up, leaving her to starve to death.
Today, she is said to haunt the castle and many sightings of a beautiful ghost have been reported over the years. However, there is much more to the castle, beyond this gruesome tale. First mentioned in 1169, when it belonged to the Abbey of San Fidele de Strumi, it passed to the Conti Guidi in the 1190s.
Documentation of the castle tends to relate to the end of the twelfth century but analysis of the foundations suggest that there was an earlier structure on the site and that the current building dates to the thirteenth century. It is said to have been designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, the architect of Florence's Palazzo Vecchio, which he is thought to have modelled on Poppi Castle.
As with such buildings, it was added to and altered over the years, up to the 19th century when lightning damage necessitated re-modelling but there have not been serious modifications since this time.
Documentation of the castle tends to relate to the end of the twelfth century but analysis of the foundations suggest that there was an earlier structure on the site and that the current building dates to the thirteenth century. It is said to have been designed by Arnolfo di Cambio, the architect of Florence's Palazzo Vecchio, which he is thought to have modelled on Poppi Castle.
As with such buildings, it was added to and altered over the years, up to the 19th century when lightning damage necessitated re-modelling but there have not been serious modifications since this time.
One of the main attractions of the castle is the Guidi Chapel, which is covered in frescos by Taddeo Gaddi, who was a pupil of Giotto. However, the history of the castle is also important – the real as well as the legendary – two famous Tuscan battles involved the castle; the Battle of Campaldino and the Battle of Anghiari.
Poppi itself is considered one of “The most beautiful villages in Italy” and is located in the heart of the Casentino, a valley famous for nature, art and history, and food and wine tourism. Just find a vacation rental in Casentino and come explore this fascinating gem for yourself.
Poppi itself is considered one of “The most beautiful villages in Italy” and is located in the heart of the Casentino, a valley famous for nature, art and history, and food and wine tourism. Just find a vacation rental in Casentino and come explore this fascinating gem for yourself.
