Rocca aldobrandesca, Medieval fortress in Piancastagnaio, Italy.

Rocca aldobrandesca is a medieval fortress in Piancastagnaio with thick stone walls and towers positioned on a hilltop. The structure has a rectangular layout and from its elevated position offers views over the Tuscan landscape below.

The fortress is first documented in 1194, in a diploma of Emperor Henry VI, and again in 1210 under Otto IV, both confirming it to the Abbey of San Salvatore, which granted it in fief to the Aldobrandeschi. Orvieto took control in 1333, Siena conquered Piancastagnaio in 1345, and restorations between 1465 and 1478 gave the rocca its present form. After 1559 the Bourbon del Monte Santa Maria turned it into a prison.

The fortress was a display of power for the Aldobrandeschi family and served as a center for controlling the region around Siena. You can still see how the family used this place to show their authority over the surrounding territory.

The site is accessible by walking paths, and clear days offer the best views of the surrounding landscape. Sturdy shoes are recommended since the approach is uphill and the ground can be uneven in places.

The stone blocks of the walls come from local quarries and show how builders used available materials to create a strong fortress. This local construction method gives the fortress an appearance that stands apart from stone used in other Italian castles.