Road Cycling Highlight
Halfway between the city of Livorno and its hamlet, Quercianella, there is the Sonnino Castle (or Castle of Romito).
The coastal road (the former SS.1) south of Livorno is mainly flat with an alternation of rocks and sand; the only elevation is a small promontory which in the locality of Romito falls sheer into the sea from an altitude of about ninety meters.
There, on the top, is the Castle that Sidney Sonnino (Premier and then Minister in the 19th century) wanted to be built at the end of the 19th century, to be his home and then his burial place.
The interior of the castle, apart from a large and bright lounge, is rather simple and austere, but the exterior is imposing, with high walls, tower, battlements and a chapel in the surrounding wooded park. The castle was built in neo-Gothic style on a sixteenth-century fortress, erected in turn by the Medici on the remains of a previous watchtower.
The view from the castle is spectacular and comes to show not only the islands of Gorgona, Capraia and Elba, but Corsica as well.
It is not a public place: it is currently inhabited by Sonnino's descendants, but on some special occasions it has been opened to the public for visits of one hour each.
For information / reservations: 334 7253532
December 14, 2020
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