La Pietra Castle

Also known as Rocca Aldobrandesca, this fortress is located on top of one of the two cliffs overlooking
Roccalbegna
. It was built in the Middle Ages by the Aldobrandeschi as a defensive bastion and observation fort, and was almost impregnable due to its position on the cliff.

In the 13th century it also served as an intensive care unit and shelter for locals in case of enemy attack.

After the fall of the Aldobrandeschi family, the fortress was abandoned and experienced the slow decline that brought it to its present, somewhat desolate appearance.

Actually, it is now little more than a pile of imposing ruins, but it was originally a very striking building. Built to withstand any attack, the fort has an irregular shape, curling around the top of the cliff to protect every corner.

Visitors are more than welcome to explore the ruins if they can get to the top of the cliff.

For more information and advice on how to get there contact the Roccalbegna tourist information center. It is worth making the trip if only to see the beautiful wildflowers and wandering vines that have crept around the crumbling towers. The view here is also quite beautiful!

Photo: Alienautic via Wikipedia Commons.