Tuscany's Most Beautiful Castles II

In our last article we discussed the proliferation of beautiful castles in Tuscany that are worth tracking down and visiting and, specifically, mentioned Sarteano's giant castle, with its imposing square keep, that dates to the 12th or 13th century and the Castello di Brolio in Chianti and its wine, food, ghosts and impressive grounds. Read on for two more examples of picturesque castles in Tuscany that you won't want to miss.

The Emperor's Castle in Prato is considered one of the most important examples of medieval architecture in the city. It is a square, thick-walled, imposing building that worth visiting in its own right but is also now home to local events, festivals and, even, movie screenings. Work on the castle began in 1237 and ended in 1248 by order of the Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II of Swabia and it was designed by Riccardo da Lentini. The most obvious feature of the castle is its striking exterior; square in plan, with one tower to each corner to all angles and one at the centre of every side of the wall curtain.

The walls and the towers are topped by distinctive Ghibelline battlements, the main gate is a gothic arch embellished in designs made of white and green marble and lion sculptures are present as a symbol of Imperial power. Today, it is a popular tourist attraction in Tuscany and, in the summer, it becomes a space for outdoor performances, concerts and movie screenings. Just find a holiday rental in Prato and stop by to see what's on.

Radicofani is a typical medieval town and is topped by one of the most impressive fortresses in all of Italy; the Rocca di Radicofani. Though the origins of the building are older, it was built over a long period of time beginning in 978 AD. Located at an altitude of 896 meters, it is positioned on the highest peak of the hill affording incredible views across to the Apennine mountains, the Lakes Trasimeno and Bolsena and, on a clear day, even as far as the tower of Siena's castle. The complex was originally made up of two walls around the castle – the outer wall being pentagonal and the inner being triangular in shape – with three towers at the corners that are now destroyed.

It is, perhaps, most famous for a former occupant, Messer Ghino di Tacco, the “Gentleman Bandit“, who lived there at the end of the 13th century. Mentioned by both Boccaccio and Dante in their works, he was banished from his town and both his father and brother were accused of robbery. He spent several years as a brigand in Maremma before taking the castle in 1297. He is famous for raiding the surrounding lands but always taking care to leave enough to his victims to live. Find a villa with pool in Radicofani and discover this exceptional attraction for yourself.

There are many more wonderful castles to visit if you are exploring Tuscany, read on to our next article for some other examples!