Castello di Romena, Medieval castle in Pratovecchio, Italy.

Castello di Romena stands on a hill at 621 metres above sea level, overlooking the Casentino and the village of Pratovecchio. What remains today, after the restoration promoted by Count Ottaviano Goretti de' Flamini, is the cassero, three towers and parts of the three wall circuits. Entry is from the north through the gates called Porta Gioiosa and Porta Bacia; inside the cassero, reached over a drawbridge and moat, are the Casa del Podestà and the mastio, with a rainwater cistern and an underground passage.

The castle is first documented in 1088 as the residence of Count Guido Alberto of the Marchesi of Spoleto, who expanded his domains across the Casentino from this stronghold. In the 12th century it passed to the Guidi counts, and after the death of Guido Guerra III in 1213 it went to Aghinolfo, founding the Guidi di Romena branch. Florence bought it in 1357; in 1440 Niccolò Piccinino's troops captured and partly destroyed it, and an earthquake in 1579 reduced it to a ruin. In 1768 it was auctioned to the Goretti de Flamini counts, who still own it.

The name Romena, or Ormena, is of Etruscan origin, and excavations around the castle have yielded fragments of vases and household utensils. In 1281 the castle was linked to Mastro Adamo da Brescia, who counterfeited Florentine gold florins for the Guidi counts and was executed at a spot later called Omomorto; Dante mentions him in Inferno XXX. In 1901 Gabriele D'Annunzio camped in the piazza d'armi and wrote much of Alcyone here.

The castle sits on a hill reached by a short unpaved path, so sturdy footwear is a good idea before heading up. Guided tours are available by reservation, and it is worth checking access conditions ahead of your visit.

The last surviving tower is known as the Torre delle Prigioni, the prison tower. Between it and the keep lies the piazza d'armi, the large parade ground where Gabriele D'Annunzio pitched his tent in 1901 while writing much of Alcyone at the castle.