Palazzo dei Vicari, Medieval palace in Scarperia, Italy.
Palazzo dei Vicari is a medieval fortress in Scarperia featuring a prominent tower crowned with crenellations, sturdy corner towers, and thick stone walls forming an irregular rectangular shape. Inside, it houses a museum with five sections dedicated to the region's long tradition of knife-making, displayed through original tools and finished blades.
Florence constructed this fortress in 1306 by demolishing a previous stronghold, establishing a strategic point to control mountain trade routes crossing the Apennines. The building served as the seat of rotating administrators who maintained Florentine authority in the region.
The coats of arms carved into the walls tell the story of officials who served here for short periods, each one representing a different ruling family from Florence. Walking through the spaces, you can see how these symbols were meant to show who held power at any given moment.
Reaching the tower top requires climbing a wooden staircase that demands physical effort and may be challenging for those with mobility issues. The reward is a panoramic view from the defensive walkway where guards once watched for threats approaching across the landscape.
The wooden staircase ascending to the tower is a remarkably well-preserved medieval structure that visitors can still climb, creating a direct physical connection with how guards moved through the fortress centuries ago. The timber itself, worn by countless footsteps, speaks to centuries of use and daily life within these walls.
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