Top 5 Castles around Loro Ciuffenna

Overlooking the Solano Valley from a panoramic hilltop, this imposing fortress-palace was one of the Guidi Counts' most powerful strongholds and still retains the charm of its medieval keep and 15th-century mullioned windows. The village, accessible by an ancient stone bridge, tells a thousand-year history of resistance and rebirth, representing one of the most iconic and best-restored profiles in the entire Casentino.

Situated at the highest point of the village, this ancient medieval castle dominates the valley, offering one of the most evocative views of the Casentino. The remains of the fortification make it the perfect place for a scenic stop to discover the historical roots of the landscape.

Castello dei Conti Guidi, beautiful stone village. Wonderful view.

In Setteponti, shortly after Poggio Bagnoli coming from Arezzo, there is a fork on the left and immediately a dirt road, but in excellent condition. Climb of just under 3 km, gentle with only a few steeper points. At the top, views of both sides, Valdambra and Valdarno.

The origin of the Montemignaio castle is linked to the passage through the area of the ancient Roman road which, from Florence ... led to Arezzo. The ancient route was still widely used during the Middle Ages and this generated the development of the Castle, located in a dominant position, at the top of a buttress overlooking the Fiana torrent valley. The first written document proving the existence of the settlement dates back to 1103, it is a papal bull in which the authority over the Pieve di Montemignaio was confirmed to the Bishop of Fiesole. Already in the following years and throughout the 12th century the area was remembered among the dominions of the Guidi counts... It was the Guidi family who built the castle on site, also known as 'Castel Leone' or simply 'Castiglione', which remained in their possession until the revolt of Castel S. Niccolò with whose inhabitants the Montemignanesi made common cause against the abuses of the last descendant of the feudal family, Count Galeoto. In 1440 the same inhabitants submitted to the Municipality of Florence and were aggregated to the Podesteria of the Montagna Fiorentina. The remains of the castle walls still partially surround the town. To the right of the main access door the mighty tower still stands out, which also served as a bell tower, to the left a second tower, probably originally the twin of the other, is today significantly reduced in height. The two towers are joined by a mighty curtain wall in which opens the beautiful round arched door that leads into the heart of the castle. Once through the entrance on the left, the majestic remains of the palace rise, first the residence of the counts and then of the Florentine Podestà, and of the square-shaped keep. In the curtain walls you can still see the walled shape of what was once the door that led into the courtyard of the Palagio. Today, to access the splendid courtyard, with a beautiful well in the centre, you need to go around the outside of the walls from the right of the main door. The original small church of the castle still stands immediately behind the bulk of the keep. The whole, rather well maintained, is one of the best examples of a fortified medieval Tuscan mountain village. (Source: https://castellitoscani.com/castel-leone-montemignaio/ )

Quota di Poppi is a small but delightful medieval village located on the slopes of the Pratomagno pre-Apennine massif at approximately 437 meters above sea level. This village is the last bastion that you come across when climbing the panoramic road of Pratomagno from the town of Poppi, of which it is a hamlet. The village is truly a gem: in summer the alleys are decorated with many varieties of flowers and plants in a mix of colors that bring joy... Quota, originally called Coita, was built as a castle by the Guidi Counts in the 13th century and remained under their dominion for about two hundred years, governing much of the Casentino territory. The strategic position of Quota was ideal for the control of the two important cities of Castel Focognano and Bibbiena, which in that period were under the influence of Arezzo. The Quota Castle represented an important military garrison in the Casentino and was a fundamental control point on the communication routes between Florence and Arezzo. Its location on the top of a hill allowed a complete view of the surrounding area, making it a fortress that was difficult to attack. (Source: https://borghi.toscana.it/cosa-vedere/quota-di-poppi/ )

archaeological site with the ruins of a medieval Guidi castle. The area is open and visitable, but is currently not in good condition. However, there is an area with a table, which is quite shady in the hot seasons. The castle stood on the top of the hill just under 1000m above sea level. The hill dominates the Valdarno, down in the plain you can recognize Figline, Incisa, Piandiscò... But the panorama is surprising and extends across the whole of Tuscany. The peaks of the Apuan Alps, Monte Serra, the Pistoia Apennines, then Monte Amiata and Monte Cetona are easily recognisable. The path to get to Poggio della Regina is well maintained and has a rather compact surface. The network of paths is very dense, you can choose various rings and itineraries.

Great old facility, surrounded by olive trees. If you like, you can get wine and olive oil directly from the producers. Oh, and there are also holiday apartments.