In the last article, we mentioned the especially lovely Tuscan medieval walled town of Buonconvento, which makes for a perfect day trip idea if you have found a luxury villa in Siena and are spending time exploring the wider province and all that it has to offer. If you are already in the area of Buonconvento and also have a particular penchant for the medieval, then we might additionally suggest swinging by Bibbiano Castle to see a lovely example of a Tuscan medieval castle while you are at it.
Bibbiano Castle is located in a particularly scenic part of Tuscany that is also quite removed from mass tourism and the potential madness of crowds and queues. For those interested in a more relaxed type of travelling and a slower pace of life, it is an ideal destination. Named for the “bibbio”, or widgeon, an aquatic bird that lives in the area, the origins of a settlement at the castle date back to 850 when it was home to the Longobard count Guinigi di Reghinari during the time of Emperor Ludovico II. It was in possession of the Guiglieschi and then the Cacciaconti families until the 13th century, when it was handed over to the Republic of Siena and re-fortified under their rule. After this is was destroyed but then rebuilt in the fifteenth century by its new owner the Cardinal Raffaello Petrucci, according to designs by the architect Baldassarre Peruzzi.
Bibbiano Castle is located in a particularly scenic part of Tuscany that is also quite removed from mass tourism and the potential madness of crowds and queues. For those interested in a more relaxed type of travelling and a slower pace of life, it is an ideal destination. Named for the “bibbio”, or widgeon, an aquatic bird that lives in the area, the origins of a settlement at the castle date back to 850 when it was home to the Longobard count Guinigi di Reghinari during the time of Emperor Ludovico II. It was in possession of the Guiglieschi and then the Cacciaconti families until the 13th century, when it was handed over to the Republic of Siena and re-fortified under their rule. After this is was destroyed but then rebuilt in the fifteenth century by its new owner the Cardinal Raffaello Petrucci, according to designs by the architect Baldassarre Peruzzi.
Despite the changes in ownership and use (from residence to fort and back again), destruction (in war and by natural disaster), and reconstruction right up to the 20th century, the castle still maintains the appearance of a classic medieval castle. It is characterised by quadrilateral walls surrounded by a ditch, a main entrance with a drawbridge, two corner towers, double defensive walls, arrow-slits, loopholes, crenellation, and more. It is one of the most remarkable medieval castles in Italy to remain intact to this day. Sadly, despite being named a National Monument by the Italian state in 1922, Bibbiano Castle is now actually a privately owned and abandoned property, making visits inside impossible. You can, however, readily admire its great beauty from outside, where it is set amongst the lovely Sienese landscape, in a raised position that allows it to top off the scenery of the Ombrone Valley perfectly.
While it is unfortunate that you cannot actually visit the castle proper today, it is one of the many little gems that is sprinkled through the landscape in this part of Tuscany and which makes driving around the area so pleasant and charming. There is always something to see around the next bend in the road, whether it is a view made more lovely by a little old stone farmhouse on the brow of a hill, farmland pastures unfolding beautifully, a historic hilltop town visible in the distance, or just a picturesque cluster of trees in a field!
To get to the castle, follow the signposted route from the town of Buonconvento and take in and admire your other surroundings as you make your way there. Largely untouched by tourism, this part of Tuscany is home to large estates and little farms and little else besides. As such, the classic Tuscan landscape on show goes uninterrupted by large towns or developments and can be taken in in its purest and most unaltered form. In addition to being a nice place to drive around aimlessly (which is the aim, you see) and explore, there are lots of different walking and cycling trails in the area for those who are not only adventurous of spirit but also want to stretch their legs and keep active while they are on holidays. If you’re interested in exploring and have found a luxury villa in Siena, this is the best part of Tuscany to spend time!
While it is unfortunate that you cannot actually visit the castle proper today, it is one of the many little gems that is sprinkled through the landscape in this part of Tuscany and which makes driving around the area so pleasant and charming. There is always something to see around the next bend in the road, whether it is a view made more lovely by a little old stone farmhouse on the brow of a hill, farmland pastures unfolding beautifully, a historic hilltop town visible in the distance, or just a picturesque cluster of trees in a field!
To get to the castle, follow the signposted route from the town of Buonconvento and take in and admire your other surroundings as you make your way there. Largely untouched by tourism, this part of Tuscany is home to large estates and little farms and little else besides. As such, the classic Tuscan landscape on show goes uninterrupted by large towns or developments and can be taken in in its purest and most unaltered form. In addition to being a nice place to drive around aimlessly (which is the aim, you see) and explore, there are lots of different walking and cycling trails in the area for those who are not only adventurous of spirit but also want to stretch their legs and keep active while they are on holidays. If you’re interested in exploring and have found a luxury villa in Siena, this is the best part of Tuscany to spend time!
Photo credit: LigaDue / CC BY-SA 4.0
