Top 9 Castles around Santa Sofia

short path, you reach the parish church from the fields, ..rather suggestive. ..

Premilcuore, like many other villages in the area, experienced its period of maximum expansion around the 13th and 14th centuries under the dominion of the Guidi family. In this period the castle known as Rocca di Premilcuore was built, today not much remains of this structure except one of the doors and remains of the walls incorporated into other buildings in subsequent periods. The life of Premilcuore is linked to the course of the Rabbi river. Today the river is a popular summer destination to escape the heat, while in the past the watercourse served to irrigate the surrounding fields and gave power to various mills in the area, two of which are still visible near the town.

Portico di Romagna is a quiet town on the banks of the Montone river. Despite its small size, the town played a very important role in medieval and Renaissance history thanks to its strategic position. Under the rule of the Guidi family it reached its maximum extension, becoming a fortified citadel complete with a castle, of which today only a tower remains. History and legend meet among the cobbled streets of this village: it is said that it was here that Dante met Beatrice for the first time. In fact, Folco Portinari, Beatrice's father, had a summer residence here where it is believed Dante was hosted while fleeing from Florence.

The Palagio Fiorentino belonged to the Guidi Counts, like other castles in the area. Built around 1230 by Count Bandino, the branch of the counts of Palagio originated from this castle, to whom it belonged for many years The last exponent of the branch of the counts of Palagio was Count Antonio, who, in 1381, freed all his subjects from all bonds of servitude and vassalage. In 1398 Count Antonio allied himself with Florence, Bologna, Venice, Padua, Ferrara and Mantua against the Visconti of Milan, even if he later switched to the side of the Visconti. In 1402 Count Antonio had to cede the territories to the Republic of Florence, to avoid the consequences of some livestock raids against the Republic in the lands of Count Piero di Porciano. After this capitulation, Montemezzano, Lonnano, Papiano and Stia also spontaneously submitted to Florence, all subsequently reunited in the Community of Palagio Fiorentino. In 1440, during the clashes between Florence and Milan, the Milanese army commanded by Niccolò Piccinino burned and destroyed the castle. The current building of the Palagio Fiorentino was built at the beginning of the twentieth century by the lawyer Carlo Beni, mayor of Stia and author of a famous Guide to the Casentino. During the reconstruction work, medieval artefacts were found, including coins and a seal with the Guidi coat of arms The appearance of the structure, rather than respecting the original architectural layout, recalls the neo-Gothic taste in vogue in the years of the renovation. (Source: https://casentino.it/palagio-fiorentino/ )

The Castle was probably built around the 10th century, as it was mentioned in documents as early as 1008 as a possession of Guido Alberto, Marquis of Spoleto. This then passed through marriage into the hands of the Guidi Counts, lords of Romagna and Casentino, who held it until 1357, when it was sold to Florence for 9,600 gold florins. With the end of the Grand Duchy, Romena became the seat of the Municipality only to be abandoned after its abolition was decided. Damaged by the earthquake of 1678 and by the local population, who used it as a stone quarry for the construction of houses and farms, the castle was finally purchased at auction in 1768 by Count Ascanio of the Goretti de' Flamini family, who still owns it today the property. The castle originally consisted of three large central towers and eleven turrets to reinforce the external walls. At the end of the large parade ground, it is possible to recognize the prison tower, larger than the others and characterized by a large shoe. Here the prisoners entered from above and were lowered down through a trap door in the floor. Apparently the more serious the crime committed, the lower the prisoners were lowered: this system of punishment at various levels seems to have given Dante, who stayed here during his exile, the inspiration for the structure of Hell. Romena is in fact remembered by Dante Alighieri in the XXX canto of the Inferno, composed right here, regarding Mastro Adamo da Brescia, a forger in the pay of the Guidi counts captured and burned alive in a locality which, precisely because of this affair, takes Omomorto's name. The large tower in the center of the courtyard is the Postierla tower, equipped with a drawbridge, from which you access the Cassero area. Here the lords resided with their family, protected by the moat and by the men guarding the towers and patrol walkways at the top of the walls. In this area there is also the Mastio tower, the highest and most fortified of all as well as the last defense in the event of a siege: from here, a secret passage led outside the castle walls, allowing the besieged to escape. Romena also inspired Gabriele D'Annunzio, guest of the Goretti de' Flamini Counts, who wrote much of the Alcyone here while contemplating the sacred mountain of La Verna and the beauty of the Casentino landscapes. (Source: https://casentino.it/castello-di-romena/ )

The Castle of Romena is a historic fortification located on top of a hill overlooking the Arno River valley. The construction of the castle dates back to the 10th century, although it has undergone many modifications and renovations over the following centuries. The castle was originally built as a defensive fortification, but over time it has also been used as a stately home and as a prison. The castle is surrounded by a wall that protects it from three sides, while the downstream side has been opened to enjoy the panoramic view. Within the castle are a number of buildings, including a church, keep and loggia. Most of the structure has been restored and reopened to the public as a museum, housing a collection of objets d'art and contemporary art. Today the Castello di Romena is a popular tourist attraction and is often used as a location for weddings and other events. Its breathtaking landscape and fascinating history attract tourists from all over the world. If you are interested in the history and art of Tuscany, the Castello di Romena is definitely a place worth visiting.

The origins of Premilcuore are mysterious, although there are several versions and legends about its foundation. The most fascinating and imaginative version is linked to the legend of the Roman soldier named Marcello, who fled Rome at the time of Caracalla, because he was part of a conspiracy against the emperor, and who found refuge in these places. Marcello fortified the small villages already existing, one of which, the current via Marciolame, is named in honor of its founder. And even the name of Premilcuore seems to date back to “PREMIT COR” (“pain oppresses our hearts” for the death of their benefactor) or to “PREMUNT COR” (“rather than hand him over we would tear out our hearts” because the Roman captain was wanted to be killed). (Source: http://www.turismopremilcuore.it/scopri-premilcuore/storia/ )

It dates back to the XII - XIII century and belonged to the Guidi Counts (in 1371). In the fifteenth century it fell under the influence of the Florentines, from this moment its decline began. Cardiane Anglico describes the castle as follows in 1371: 'It is on the Alpe on a high insepugnable mountain. It has a fortress and a very strong tower. There is another one-shot crossbow tower called the Oak. The main road that leads from Galeata to Tuscany passes here in the middle (...) '. The structures currently visible are the walls (partially hidden by vegetation) with the mighty arched entrance door in sandstone blocks and part of the central keep. Below the castle you can see the road 'that led from Galeata to Tuscany' with retaining walls. (Source: http://www.turismoforlivese.it/servizi/menu/dinamica.aspx?ID=27901)