Rondine Castle

Traveling along the SP1 Setteponti road, halfway between Ponte a Buriano and Castiglion Fibocchi, a detour leads to the castle ruins after about one and a half kilometers.

The Rondine Castle was one of the most powerful fortresses in the Arezzo countryside during the Middle Ages, located between the Valdarno and Casentino regions on the right bank of the Arno River. It stands within the Ponte a Buriano and Penna Natural Reserve and is known worldwide for its Citadel of Peace.

Today, it is dilapidated and abandoned, overrun by vegetation to the point where it is difficult to identify. It stands at the center of a private property and is fenced off because it is dangerous to venture among the ruins due to the possible falling of stones. It has a rectangular shape with a powerful keep at the center, originally about twenty meters high, which still towers almost intact with distinguishable windows and arrow slits. Among the shrubs, one can also spot the remains of the surrounding walls.

Its construction dates back to the early 12th century and was carried out by the municipality of Arezzo. In 1287, it was conquered by the Guelphs, who had been expelled from Arezzo, and became their stronghold until 1323, when Bishop Guido Tarlati besieged it and regained control. A few years later, in 1338, Rondine, like Arezzo and its district, came under the control of the Florentine Republic and was no longer involved in significant historical events, leading to its abandonment and gradual decay. Since the 18th century, it has belonged to the De Bacci family.

Photos by Marco Botti