Vincigliata, Medieval castle in Fiesole, Italy

Vincigliata is a castle on a rocky hill east of Fiesole, enclosed by a trapezoidal perimeter wall nearly 400 metres long. It comprises a keep, a watchtower, a courtyard, a loggia and a cloister, unified by medieval military architecture. The gate is flanked by two stone lions and opens onto an Italian garden with a fountain and a sunken cloister.

The castle's origins trace to 1031, when towers and houses of the Visdomini family stood here. After passing through the Boccia, Giudice, Bonaccorsi and Albizzi families, it was bought in 1855 by the Englishman John Temple Leader, who rebuilt it in Gothic Revival style over ten years with architect Giuseppe Fancelli. In 1941–43 it held senior British officers as POW camp P.G. 12.

The castle served as a residence for different noble families who held power in the region over centuries. The rooms and spaces still reflect this aristocratic past through their furnishings and layout.

The site is best visited on clear days when you can enjoy views of the surrounding landscape. Guided visits are available, but check opening dates ahead of time as access is limited.

During World War II the castle served as a prisoner-of-war camp holding senior British and Commonwealth military officers. This chapter in the building's history remains tangible in various spaces throughout the complex.