Rocca di Pietracassia, Medieval fortress in Lajatico, Italy.
Rocca di Pietracassia is a fortress sitting on a limestone rock at 532 meters elevation, featuring a square structure with two defensive towers and thick limestone walls. The building uses the natural shape of the rock below it to strengthen its defenses.
The fortress was built in 1028 as a Lombard stronghold and controlled copper transportation from the Montecatini mines during the Middle Ages. This strategic role made it a key point in the region's medieval trade network.
The name Pietracassia comes from a natural crack in the foundation rock, showing how the builders connected their structure to the local landscape. This geological feature shaped how people understood and used the fortress within its surroundings.
Visitors need to park at Poggio delle Cataste and walk a 2 kilometer path through oak forests to reach the fortress. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water, as the trail takes about an hour to complete on foot.
The fortress has a rare heptagonal tower, the only example of this architectural design among medieval fortifications in Tuscany. This unusual shape makes it clearly different from other strongholds built during the same period in the region.
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