Trebbio Castle

How to reach

The Castle rises along the road that leads to S.Brigida, from Florence is reacheable following the indications for Pontassieve first and Molin of the Plan then until finding the indications for the castle.

History

In the ancient fief of Monte di Croce, property first of the Counts Guidi and then of the Bishop of Florence, the Pazzi family built this castle, sure widening a most ancient and modest high medieval fortification. Between the 12th and 14th centuries, the Pazzi acquired control over all the surrounding lands and made Trebbio their stronghold in the heart of the countryside.

In the '400s, the castle became a place of reunion of artists and was enriched by a loggia with columns of stone and many other art works, such as the fresco by Andrea del Castagno, which at the time adorned the chapel of the castle and is now exposed in the museum of Pitti Palace in Florence. In the 16th century, there were additional windows with iron gates.

The complex has a rectangular shape, articulated around the courtyard, which is approachable exclusively through a gate protected by a tower. The gate is opened in the center of the main front, toward the bottom of the valley. Part of the walled curtain and towers are still endowed with machicolation, supported by beautiful brackets in stone, and battlements built in brick.

The legend says that here in 1478, a plot was hatched against the Medici, who caused the killing of Giuliano, brother of Lorenzo. After the plot failed, the castle was confiscated from the Florentine Republic. The structure was restored in the last century, today is a private property.