Castello di Romena

Castello di Romena is a medieval fortress positioned on a hilltop above the Arno River, with three main towers and partial defensive walls still standing. The complex sits at an elevation of about 621 meters and is accessible via a restored drawbridge at the Postierla tower.

The fortress was first documented in 1008 as the residence of Count Guido Alberto and came under the control of the Guidi family through marriage during the 12th century. This shift in ownership shaped the site's evolution through the medieval period.

The castle appears in Dante Alighieri's Divine Comedy, connected to a 1281 incident involving counterfeit gold coins made inside its walls. This literary reference has kept the site remembered across centuries.

The castle can be visited and guided tours are available by reservation, though it is wise to verify access conditions in advance. The hilltop location means visitors should be prepared for walking on sloped terrain.

The prison tower contained a system where inmates were lowered through a trapdoor, with the depth of descent determined by their crime severity. This brutal method reveals how medieval justice operated at the site.