Rocca of Campigliola

Following the Cassia Road (SS2) to the southern end of the Val d' Orcia you can find the indication to reach Campiglia d' Orcia, towards the Summit of the Amiata Mount. The Tower of the Campigliola can be reached only by foot from the town.

The Campigliola Tower, the sole remnant of the Rocca di Campigliola or Campigliaccia, is an ancient watchtower situated on the crest of the rocky spur overlooking the town of Campiglia d'Orcia. The former fortress belonged to the Aldobrandeschi Counts until the close of the 10th century and subsequently became part of the dominion of the influential Visconti family in the 12th century, albeit maintaining close ties with the Aldobrandeschi.

In the 13th century, the Visconti, striving to pursue a policy of equilibrium, found themselves under threat from the expansionist endeavors of rival cities such as Siena, Florence, and Orvieto, vying for control over southern Tuscany. Succumbing to the overwhelming forces of Siena in 1234, the Visconti saw the Tower and the Castle of Campiglia below destroyed.

Presently, the tower lies in ruins and can only be accessed on foot by traversing the ancient road bordered by dry-stone walls, leading from the fortification to the center of Campiglia, now transformed into a hiking trail. With a square shape, the interior still showcases the roofing of the first floor, boasting one of the most exquisite barrel vaults in all of Tuscany. The walls contain openings designed for ceiling beams, and a cistern for water supply is also present. Regrettably, no traces remain of the other structures that once complemented the fortification.

Campiglia d'Orcia features its historical center arranged in a fan shape beneath a rocky ridge, where the fortress once stood, though only meager remnants are visible today. The route of the Via Francigena historically traversed through Campiglia.

Photos by Francesco Viti