How to reach
What remains of the ancient, strengthened suburb of Castell'Ottieri rises along the road that leads to Sorano from Mount Amiata. From the Cassia road, it can be reached following the indications for Proceno, then S.Giovanni and finally for Sorano.
History
Castell'Ottieri was part of the numerous castles of minor dominions tied to the powerful feudal family of the Aldobrandeschi that studded this area of Tuscany, named the 'Etruscan Zone of the Tuff'.
The castle, whose name is derived from the Latin 'castellum Lotharii', rose from a small relief on this volcanic rock that dominates the underlying valley, and its origin is clearly medieval. A thick and tall keep, of rectangular form, with the external part endowed with a round tower that once rose in height above it, still dominates the gate of principal access to the city walls, of which some lines are still visible. All the fortifications are made of bricks in tuff. This makes the fortification seem like a natural prolongation of the rock from which it rises.
Despite the bad state of maintenance today, the beautiful windows and the heraldic coats of arms that adorn the tower still testify to the past beauty of Castell'Ottieri. Some years ago, consolidation and restoration of the exterior walls were done. It was also planned to restore the inner part with the installation of an iron staircase to allow climbing to the top of the keep, but this remains unfinished to date.