Rocca Aldobrandesca, Medieval fortress in Scarlino, Italy.
Rocca Aldobrandesca is a medieval fortress in Scarlino featuring three towers of different shapes: one round, one triangular, and one quadrangular, arranged within walls forming a pentagonal layout. This unusual configuration created a defensive structure that adapted to the terrain of its location.
The Aldobrandeschi family built this fortress in the late 10th century to secure their power in the region. The name Aldobrandeschi first appears in historical records around 973, marking the early roots of this family.
The fortress takes its name from the Aldobrandeschi family, who shaped the region during medieval times. The structure reflects this noble family's mark through its distinctive architectural design.
The location is accessible via Via Ercole Cecchi 20 in Scarlino, where visitors can explore the fortress grounds. An archive center on the site displays findings from excavations, offering insights into the long history of settlement.
Excavations between 1979 and 1983 revealed settlement traces from the Bronze Age, including remains of a wooden village from about 3000 years ago. These discoveries show that the location was inhabited far longer than the medieval fortress itself.
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