Verrucole Castle, Medieval fortress in San Romano in Garfagnana, Italy
Verrucole Castle comprises two distinct towers, Rocca Quadra and Rocca Tonda, positioned on opposite sides of a hilltop. The structures are connected by defensive walls lined with semicircular bastions that overlook the surrounding Garfagnana valley.
The Gherardinghi family built the castle in the 11th century to defend the valley and control the Garfagnana region. In 1376, Emperor Charles IV granted the fortress imperial recognition, confirming its strategic importance.
The two towers take their names from their shapes: Rocca Quadra means the square tower, Rocca Tonda means the round tower. Visitors can see in the restored rooms how people lived in medieval times, with objects and explanations about daily life and crafts.
The castle is reached by traveling on the SS12 road from Lucca toward Castelnuovo, then continuing toward San Romano and the Verrucole village. Walking paths around the fortress are straightforward and manageable for visitors of various fitness levels.
Underground galleries run beneath the towers, originally built to store gunpowder and other supplies. These hidden passages reveal how the fortress designers created layered defenses and protected valuable resources underground.
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