Barco reale, Game reserve in Carmignano, Italy.
Barco Reale is a game reserve in the Montalbano region with woodlands and vineyards spread across the terrain. A substantial wall made of sandstone and boulders encloses the area, featuring preserved gates and water management systems throughout its length.
Ferdinando II de' Medici established the reserve in 1626 as a protected hunting ground for the grand ducal family. The creation served both wildlife preservation and the securing of exclusive hunting rights for the nobility.
The place shows how hunting traditions and wine cultivation coexisted in Tuscany for centuries. Traces of aristocratic leisure activities remain visible in the landscape today.
Sections of the wall are accessible for walking with views of original structures throughout the reserve. Sturdy footwear is needed because the terrain is uneven and paths are not developed everywhere.
The boundary wall contains a sophisticated system of sluices that regulated water circulation throughout the area. These hydraulic structures reveal how advanced the water infrastructure was in the 17th century.
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