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Castles in the area of Maremma Toscana, palaces and mansions

The Maremma Toscana area is rich in castles, towers, and historic houses, a strong testimony of medieval architecture. A dense network of manors spreads over the whole territory, in the plains, on the gentle hill slopes and perched on rocky mountains, surrounded by vineyards, beech and chestnut woods. Built in strategic positions, they dominate the surrounding valleys, often with mighty crenellated walls and lively interior decorations made on frescoed walls to recall the opulence of the local noble families. Many can be visited, still others used as private homes, and still others only ruins bearing witness to a glorious past. Discover with Visititaly, the fortresses, the villas, the forts, the historic buildings, the noble residences and all the places linked to culture that characterize the Maremma Toscana area. If you have visited a castle and would like to share your experience with others, please report it here!

Scansano - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello di Montorgiali

The Castle of Montorgiali was built during the twelfth century at the behest of the family of the homonymous accounts, vassals of the Aldobrandeschi family. The complex has historical references dating back to 1188 from a bubble of Pope Clement III directed to the Bishop of Grosseto. The Montorgiali family sold the Castle to the Republic of Siena in 1378 after having sided against the branch of Santa Fiora. The structure of the Castle consists of several buildings leaning among themselves.

Scansano - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello di Montepò

Historical news of the Castle of Montepò dates back to 1188, found in a bubble by Pope Clement III. The building was entirely rebuilt by the Lords of Cotton in the fourteenth century and around 1378 it passed under the control of Siena and the Sergardi family. During the Renaissance era it was transformed into a fortified farm. The structure has a semi-regular quadrilateral shape flanked by four corner towers that originally had a defensive function.

Sorano - Castles, palaces and mansions

Rocca degli Ottieri

The Fortress dates back to the fifteenth century and was built by the Ottieri family in the locality of Castell' Ottieri. The structure was built around a 12th century tower built by the Aldobrandeschi. During the eighteenth century the building went under the management of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, a period when the structure underwent a heavy decline. The external parts covered in tuff flaret and three gentle coats of arms located in the wall leaning on the left side of the tower are still visible.

Sorano - Castles, palaces and mansions

Castello di Montorio

The Castle of Montorio was built in the Middle Ages and was the property of the noble Aldobrandeschi family. During the thirteenth century the structure was sold to the Ottieri and in the fifteenth century it passed into management to the Republic of Siena. The complex is articulated by walls covered in tuff basins and there is also a circular tower located in the southeastern part of the walls. In the post-seventeenth century, the Castle was transformed into a fortified farm.

Grosseto - Castles, palaces and mansions

Forte di San Rocco

This building is a coastal fortification near the marina. In the second half of the 18th century the Lorraine ordered the construction of this complex in the place where a pre-existing building with military functions stood. Originally, the structure served as a checkpoint for the coast and also as a logistics base. The entire fortification is clad in bricks and is protected by a series of wall curtains, while inside it there is a courtyard.

Grosseto - Castles, palaces and mansions

Forte delle Marze

The fort dates back to the mid-18th century and was once the home of ministers. A work by engineer L. Ximenes, who over the years has no longer been used as a residence and has been used as a military fort. Due to numerous renovations and the backward of the coastline, the building has undergone numerous changes. The original elements that we can still observe today are in the walls covered in stone and in the upper part covered by a four-pitched roof.

Grosseto - Castles, palaces and mansions

Fortezza e Cassero Senese

This building dates back to the '300, and is one of the many forts, which are located along the Walls of Grosseto. Of great interest is the fact that this is the only element of the old medieval walls that was not modified during the reconstruction in the 16th century. The building is an imposing rectangular tower with exteriors covered in travertine. On the external facade you can see the white-black coat of arms of Siena and the typical double arch. Now the Cassero is used for various artistic and photographic exhibitions.

Grosseto - Castles, palaces and mansions

Fortezza Medicea

The Medici Fortress is a real fortified citadel, made of bricks that responded to the principles of modern military architecture. The Fortress has a pentagonal shape and in the center the Piazza d'Armi opens, the heart of the Fortress, which has a rectangular shape and is surrounded by remains of the sixteenth-century buildings. High level cultural and museum center, since 2003 it houses the classrooms of the Grosseto University Pole. In summer, theatrical and musical performances are held there.

Giglio Isola - Castles, palaces and mansions

Rocca Aldobrandesca

The Aldobrandesca Fortress of the Island of Giglio dates back to the tenth century in the Borgo di Giglio Castello. In the twelfth century the property passed to the family of the Aldobrandeschi who expanded its structure. Under Pisano rule, the city walls were restructured and during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries restorations were carried out due to the numerous pirate raids of the period. The building was composed of two main buildings that housed the residence of the governors and the podestà.

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