カステルフランコ・ピアンディスコの洞窟・トップ7

As a plant expert and botany enthusiast, Ferdinando Panciatichi Ximenes d’Aragona designed the large green area surrounding Sammezzano Castle, approximately 65 hectares, which constitutes the current Historic Park. Around the ancient "ragnaia" (woodland) formed by a high forest of holm oaks, Ferdinando decided to place numerous rare and exotic plants. Their purpose was to serve the dual purpose of beautifying the exterior and gradually introducing visitors and guests to the wonders of the "Moorish" style of the Villa-Castle of Sammezzano. Among the exotic species introduced by Ferdinando, the most well-known are undoubtedly the majestic sequoias (Sequoia sempervirens and Sequoia gigantea), which, as demonstrated by the remarkable size they reached in just 150 years, certainly found the geological, soil, and climatic conditions favorable to their growth. Among these, the so-called "twin sequoia" stands out, as its trunk forks into two enormous vertical branches a few meters from the base. It is almost 54 meters tall and, with a circumference of 837 centimeters, the tallest sequoia in Italy. It is not only one of Italy's monumental trees, but also one of the select group of "150 trees of exceptional environmental or monumental value."

Castello dei Conti Guidi, beautiful stone village. Wonderful view.

The origin of the Montemignaio castle is linked to the passage through the area of the ancient Roman road which, from Florence ... led to Arezzo. The ancient route was still widely used during the Middle Ages and this generated the development of the Castle, located in a dominant position, at the top of a buttress overlooking the Fiana torrent valley. The first written document proving the existence of the settlement dates back to 1103, it is a papal bull in which the authority over the Pieve di Montemignaio was confirmed to the Bishop of Fiesole. Already in the following years and throughout the 12th century the area was remembered among the dominions of the Guidi counts... It was the Guidi family who built the castle on site, also known as 'Castel Leone' or simply 'Castiglione', which remained in their possession until the revolt of Castel S. Niccolò with whose inhabitants the Montemignanesi made common cause against the abuses of the last descendant of the feudal family, Count Galeoto. In 1440 the same inhabitants submitted to the Municipality of Florence and were aggregated to the Podesteria of the Montagna Fiorentina. The remains of the castle walls still partially surround the town. To the right of the main access door the mighty tower still stands out, which also served as a bell tower, to the left a second tower, probably originally the twin of the other, is today significantly reduced in height. The two towers are joined by a mighty curtain wall in which opens the beautiful round arched door that leads into the heart of the castle. Once through the entrance on the left, the majestic remains of the palace rise, first the residence of the counts and then of the Florentine Podestà, and of the square-shaped keep. In the curtain walls you can still see the walled shape of what was once the door that led into the courtyard of the Palagio. Today, to access the splendid courtyard, with a beautiful well in the centre, you need to go around the outside of the walls from the right of the main door. The original small church of the castle still stands immediately behind the bulk of the keep. The whole, rather well maintained, is one of the best examples of a fortified medieval Tuscan mountain village. (Source: https://castellitoscani.com/castel-leone-montemignaio/ )

Quota di Poppi is a small but delightful medieval village located on the slopes of the Pratomagno pre-Apennine massif at approximately 437 meters above sea level. This village is the last bastion that you come across when climbing the panoramic road of Pratomagno from the town of Poppi, of which it is a hamlet. The village is truly a gem: in summer the alleys are decorated with many varieties of flowers and plants in a mix of colors that bring joy... Quota, originally called Coita, was built as a castle by the Guidi Counts in the 13th century and remained under their dominion for about two hundred years, governing much of the Casentino territory. The strategic position of Quota was ideal for the control of the two important cities of Castel Focognano and Bibbiena, which in that period were under the influence of Arezzo. The Quota Castle represented an important military garrison in the Casentino and was a fundamental control point on the communication routes between Florence and Arezzo. Its location on the top of a hill allowed a complete view of the surrounding area, making it a fortress that was difficult to attack. (Source: https://borghi.toscana.it/cosa-vedere/quota-di-poppi/ )

In the forest with the largest number of sequoias in Italy, these two fascinating specimens grew side by side. An information sign indicates that their circumference exceeds 8 metres, but at least 5/6 people are needed to hug them

Castle surrounded by a park built between the 16th and 19th centuries, in a rare orientalist style. A precious gem of the territory.

Sammezzano Castle is a splendid and particular residence in the province of Florence. Wanted by the Marquis Ferdinando Panciatichi Ximenes of Aragon in the 19th century, he enriched it with exotic and imaginative decorations. It is surrounded by a vast park, where you can admire rare and monumental plants, such as sequoias.

A bit neglected, but it shows the splendor of bygone times. An absolute gem!