Rocca of Castellina in Chianti

How to reach

Castellina in Chianti can be easily reached from the speedway Firenze-Siena going out for S.Donato and then following the indications .

History

This area of the Chianti was inhabited since the ancient times. On the base of recent excavations it seems that an Etruscan settlement existed between Casa Vico and Salivolpe, a few hundred meters from the modern town of Castellina, hypothesis confirmed by the discovery on the Montecalvario hill of four Ipogee graves of the 7th century B.C.. Later the zone was also a Roman center and was destroyed during the Gauls invasions.



The first documents of this settlement go back to the Middle Age. In the 11th century, Castellina was recorded as dependence of the near Trebbia Castle (nowadays corresponding to the locality of Trebbia in the district of Radda in Chianti) that was under the control of the Counts of the Guidi family, to which is owed the construction of the original nucleus of the fortification. At this time the settlement was known as 'Castellina de' Trebbiesi'.



Already in 1193 the castle, thanks to an agreement signed by the Trebbiesi, was garrisoned by the Florentine army, and at the mid 12th century Castellina joined the 'Chianti League' and subsequently became chief town of one of the three 'terzieri' (parts, the others two had as chief towns Radda and Gaiole) in which the League was divided.



The territory of the Chianti was for the whole  Middle Age theater of battles and struggles between the two powerful city-sate of Florence and Siena. Castellina, at dominion of one of the main road of communication between the two cities, was one of the most advanced Florentine strongholds and became strategically very important. In 1397 the castle was destroyed by the troops of the Duke of Milan, allied with the Senesi.



Few years after, in 1400, the Florentine Republic decided to strengthen the defenses of the town with the construction of more wide and thick town walls, having the form of irregular hexagon, alternated by numerous square towers, gifted of two gates and crowned, in the highest point of the inhabited area, by a mighty rectangular Keep with crenelated walls.



Our days a large parts of the town walls, towers and a gate still remains (although in more points enclosed in modern houses). On the northern side of the walled enclosure, the leaning of the houses against the walls has given origin to a particular "sotterranea" (underground) street, the so called "volte" (vaults).



The Keep, constituted by two different parts, with square shape and different heights, joined together, with its high curtains is in perfect conditions, thanks to an accurate work of restoration carried on at the beginning of the century, today is the seat of the town municipality. The lower part enclose the inner ward, the highest is the real keep with a beautiful vaulted hall inside.



This powerful fortifications had the baptism of  fire in the year 1452 withstanding for 44 days to the siege of the Duke of Calabria army. It seems that for that time the fortifications were again strengthened by the big Medicean architect, Giuliano da Sangallo.



Despite this in 1478 the castle capitulated to the attack of the Aragonese army and, as the near castles, was sacked and destroyed. In the 1483 Castellina returned definitely under Florentine control. In 1774 the Chianti League was abolished, but the territory of the new 'Community of Castellina',  born with the reforms wanted by the Granduca Pietro Leopoldo, coincided almost perfectly with the ancient 'Terziere'. The actual common is today in province of Siena.

 

Photo by Michele Busillo