Castello di Montalcino, 14th-century military fortress in Montalcino, Italy
Castello di Montalcino is a pentagon-shaped fortress from the 14th century sitting at the highest point of town, featuring guard towers, defensive walls, and a large inner courtyard. The structure surrounds the entire area with thick walls and allows visitors to walk along the ramparts and explore all sections.
The fortress was built in 1361 under Siena's authority as a defensive stronghold. It later became the scene of the Republic of Siena's final stand against Medici forces in 1555.
The fortress grounds display exhibitions about Brunello di Montalcino, the region's renowned wine, showing how deeply this fortress is connected to local wine traditions. You can see how important this wine remains to the area's identity and daily life.
The site is open year-round, making it possible to visit at any time. Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable conditions for walking the ramparts and exploring the interior.
The structure incorporates several older buildings, including a 13th-century tower and an ancient basilica that was converted into a chapel. These layers reveal how the site evolved over centuries of use.
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