Castel di Poggio

The castle is located at Via Vincigliata 4, 50014 Fiesole (FI), in the hills between Florence and Fiesole. From Florence, follow the signs for Coverciano or take the ring roads towards Fiesole, passing through Via Gabriele d’Annunzio and continuing along the SP55 towards the Vincigliata area.

Castel di Poggio stands atop a hill in the countryside of Fiesole, between Settignano and Monte Ceceri, in a panoramic position of considerable scenic interest. The complex comprises the castle, an inner courtyard and an extensive woodland park surrounding the summit of the hill, creating a striking ensemble in which the architecture blends harmoniously with the landscape of the Florentine hills.

The origins of the fortress probably date back to the 13th century, when it belonged to the Del Manzecca family, which owned numerous estates in the area. The family exercised considerable power over the surrounding territory and is mentioned in historical chronicles for the violence and abuses committed in the Upper Valdarno, including acts of brigandage. The castle’s strategic position and the autonomy enjoyed by its lords eventually came into conflict with the interests of the Florentine Republic, which was seeking to consolidate its control over the surrounding countryside. In 1348, the Florentine Signoria ordered the destruction of the fortress, bringing the Del Manzecca family’s rule to an end.

The remains of the castle were purchased in 1469 by the Alessandri family, who rebuilt the complex and gradually transformed it into an aristocratic residence. The property was arranged around a main residence, a tower, crenellated walls and a chapel, which together formed the nucleus of the fortified residence that would develop over the following centuries. According to historical accounts, the oratory was also decorated with frescoes attributed to the Giotto school.

During the 17th century, the property passed to the Girolami family and subsequently to the Bonaccorsi family. Following the latter family’s financial collapse, the estate was acquired by the Marucelli family, whose lineage became extinct in 1782. Ownership then passed to the Brunaccini family, commemorated by a plaque on the chapel, followed by the Mantellini, Casini and finally the Forteguerri families, originally from Pistoia.

The most significant transformations date back to the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when the complex underwent extensive alterations in the Neo-Medieval style, which was particularly popular in Tuscany during that period. The aim was to restore the appearance of an ancient medieval fortress through an idealised reconstruction of its architectural forms. During this phase, the tower’s external gallery was demolished and a new crenellated wing was built, while the various sections of the building were harmonised into a unified composition with the appearance of a fortified castle.

The restoration work was carried out by Giuseppe Castellucci, one of the leading exponents of the Neo-Gothic style in Tuscany, an architect and restorer responsible for numerous interventions on historic buildings throughout the region. The project drew inspiration, on a smaller scale, from the nearby Castello di Vincigliata, a celebrated example of Neo-Medieval reconstruction in the Florentine hills. As with many other works of the same period, the revival of a romantic image of the Middle Ages took precedence, to some extent, over the strict preservation of the original structures.

The most significant surviving element of the ancient fortress is a tower, which itself was modified through the reconstruction of its battlements. Much of Castel di Poggio’s present-day appearance therefore derives from the interventions carried out between the 19th and 20th centuries, which combined surviving historical elements with new structures inspired by medieval architecture. The more recent buildings blend visually with the older sections, creating a harmonious ensemble in which the different phases of the complex’s history can still be discerned.

In 1911, the castle passed into the hands of the Baduel Zamberletti family, who also carried out improvements to the surrounding grounds. To allow more light into the garden, the perimeter wall was lowered and the courtyard was transformed into a lawn shaded by tall trees. A large woodland extends around the residence, consisting mainly of holm oaks, chestnut trees, oaks and cypresses, interspersed with statues and several olive groves maintained as grassy clearings. The park is an essential part of the property’s identity, helping to preserve its secluded character and its close relationship with the surrounding hilly landscape.

Following the death of the family’s last descendant, Aida Baduel Zamberletti, the estate was bequeathed to the Fondazione Baduel Zamberletti, which continues to oversee its administration today. Castel di Poggio is therefore a significant example of the Romantic revival of the Middle Ages between the 19th and 20th centuries: not a fully preserved 13th-century castle, but a layered historical complex in which the remains of the ancient fortress coexist with Neo-Gothic reconstructions and a woodland landscape that defines its distinctive character.