Altafronte Castle, Medieval castle near Arno River in Florence, Italy
Altafronte Castle is a fortified complex with massive stone walls and multiple buildings located along the Arno riverbank in Florence. The structure integrates with Palazzo Castellani and displays architectural elements from various periods across several exhibition floors.
The castle was first documented in 1180 and belonged to the Altafronte family before being sold to the Ghibelline Uberti family that same year. This change in ownership reflects the political shifts that shaped Florence during the Middle Ages.
The Galileo Museum shapes how the space is used today, displaying scientific tools and devices that played a role in astronomy and physics research. Visitors walk through different rooms to see how these objects contributed to scientific progress.
The site spans several floors and offers different exhibition areas that allow visitors to explore the space at their own pace. It is helpful to allow enough time to view the architectural layers and displayed objects thoroughly.
Excavations in 2002 uncovered four large medieval arches hidden in the castle foundations, confirming its original defensive purpose. These archaeological discoveries provide insight into the construction methods and strategic planning of the medieval period.
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