Take a day during your Tuscan holiday to visit the spectacular Sorci castle in Anghiari in the province of Arezzo to learn about the legend of the famous mercenary leader, Baldaccio d’Anghiari! Visitors wishing to stay in the Anghiari area for a few days have a wealth of tuscan villas for rent available to rent all year around.
This castle is now a huge lavish hotel restaurant where you can walk around and envisage the stories that weave through its history. Sorci castle, built during the 12th century was also the inspiration for a well known Italian film, ‘Nothing left to do but cry’.
Sorci castle was Baldaccio’s home and he was a brave and strong military leader, greatly respected by the people of Anghiari. But during a gruesome conflict between him and his enemies, he was savagely beheaded in Palazzo Vecchio and his limp corpse was flung from a window onto Piazza Signoria in front of a terrified crowd!
This castle is now a huge lavish hotel restaurant where you can walk around and envisage the stories that weave through its history. Sorci castle, built during the 12th century was also the inspiration for a well known Italian film, ‘Nothing left to do but cry’.
Sorci castle was Baldaccio’s home and he was a brave and strong military leader, greatly respected by the people of Anghiari. But during a gruesome conflict between him and his enemies, he was savagely beheaded in Palazzo Vecchio and his limp corpse was flung from a window onto Piazza Signoria in front of a terrified crowd!
Legend has it that his ghost still resides in the castle, seeking revenge on his enemies for his brutal murder. Many have claimed to have heard the clanging of his armour at night as his continues on his tormented quest.
Visitors would also be interested to learn that in the province of Arezzo, the legend of the ‘Doors of the Dead’ was born. Tall slender pointed arch doorways were a common feature of old Cortona houses in the area and were used to cart out the coffins of the dead. An ancient belief of the people was that the Death Reaper would leave the house through such doors along with the body and could only return to the house through the same doorway for his next victim. So these doors were only used for allowing coffins to exit and then they were boarded up to prevent death from entering again.
Visitors would also be interested to learn that in the province of Arezzo, the legend of the ‘Doors of the Dead’ was born. Tall slender pointed arch doorways were a common feature of old Cortona houses in the area and were used to cart out the coffins of the dead. An ancient belief of the people was that the Death Reaper would leave the house through such doors along with the body and could only return to the house through the same doorway for his next victim. So these doors were only used for allowing coffins to exit and then they were boarded up to prevent death from entering again.
The stories of Baldaccio d’Anghiari and the coffin houses of Cortona in the province of Arezzo is only one of several related articles that will teach you all about the most interesting legends of Tuscany. Also worth watching is a dvd of intriguing episodes about the legends of Tuscany. Looking through these may help you spice up your Tuscan touring plans and add some mystery and wonder to your vacation here!
