The City Wall

Grosseto‘s walls are distinguished from those of other cities by their irregular shape.

Built in the 12th century but destroyed and rebuilt several times over the centuries, the walls are heptagonal in shape as they encompass the city and feature five bastions and a fortress.

The redesign was the work of architect Baldassarre Lanci, who reported to Grand Duke Francesco I de’Medici. He added his own embellishments and opened a section of the wall to allow a tree-lined public promenade for all citizens of Grosseto.

Although the walls and their ramparts are fascinating, it is the Cassero Senese that really deserves a visit.

An austere sandy brown, the medieval watchtower complex has seen better days, but still has a great history hidden in its maze of courtyards and gardens.

It is also completely free and completely open to the public, so you can walk around the inner sections, climb the battlements and admire Grosseto below.

Photo: Nadia Fondelli via Flickr.