Poppi Castle, Medieval fortress in Poppi, Tuscany, Italy
This well-preserved medieval fortress stands on elevated ground in the town of Poppi, featuring thick stone walls, defensive towers, and battlements that date back to around the year 1290.
The castle was constructed by the Guidi family starting in 1290 with architect Arnolfo di Cambio, who later used its design as inspiration for Florence's Palazzo Vecchio, and it served as a military stronghold during the Battle of Campaldino in 1289.
Poet Dante Alighieri stayed within the castle walls during his exile in 1310 and is believed to have composed portions of the Divine Comedy here, while the chapel contains 14th-century frescoes by Taddeo Gaddi depicting stories of the Virgin Mary and Saint John.
The castle is located at Piazza della Repubblica, 1 in Poppi with postal code 52014 and functions as a museum displaying medieval artifacts and furnishings, although visitors should note that it is not wheelchair accessible.
The castle houses the Rilliana Library, established in 1828, which contains over 25,000 volumes including nearly 800 manuscripts that document regional history and literature from the Casentino area of Tuscany.
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