Rocca di Cerbaia, Castle ruin in Carmignanello, Italy.
Rocca di Cerbaia is a castle ruin positioned on a hilltop above the Bisenzio River near the village of Carmignanello. The site features two concentric defensive walls with a five-sided central tower, along with remaining traces of a medieval chapel and ancient water storage system.
Emperor Frederick Barbarossa granted the fortress to the Alberti counts in 1164, establishing their control over a critical trade route heading toward Lombardy. This grant marked the beginning of the fortress's role as a strategic stronghold in the region.
The fortress became a home for Cunizza da Romano, a noblewoman whose life story inspired medieval literature and is recalled in Dante's Divine Comedy. She left a mark on the place through the years she spent here sharing memories and wisdom.
Access to the fortress is via hiking trail number 48 from CAI-Prato, which starts from the village of Carmignanello. Sturdy footwear and moderate fitness are helpful, as the path involves uphill walking over uneven terrain.
Within the inner walls lies the remains of a medieval chapel with an apsidal end, a rare survival at such sites. An underground water tank with barrel vaulting in the outer enclosure demonstrates how the fortress ensured its water supply during siege.
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