Fortezza Medicea, Renaissance fortress on hilltop in Volterra, Italy

Fortezza Medicea is a Renaissance fortress sitting on Volterra's hilltop, built with two distinct sections linked by a connecting stone wall. Both sections feature circular towers, while a central structure called Maschio serves as the main stronghold within the complex.

When Florence conquered Volterra in 1472 following disputes over alum mining resources, Lorenzo de Medici commissioned the construction of a new fortress section starting in 1474. This project helped Florence solidify control over the newly captured territory.

The two linked fortresses form a citadel whose interior space served as a military parade ground, an arms depot and a shelter for the population during a siege. The lower Rocca Vecchia is also called the Femmina, in contrast to the Mastio, the keep of the newer Rocca Nuova. Part of the complex now houses a restaurant run by supervised prisoners.

The fortress currently operates as a medium-security prison with restricted public access, though some areas can be visited. A restaurant on the grounds is staffed and run by supervised inmates, offering meals to visitors.

The fortress features special defensive walkways and corbels positioned along its towers, designed specifically to shield against projectile attacks common in medieval warfare. These structural details reveal how military architects adapted their designs to counter the weapons of their era.