The lands of Tuscany, particularly around Florence, Pisa, and Lucca, were highly contested and fought over by various rulers and factions in the Middle Ages and Renaissance. As a result, many fortified structures remain dotted throughout the already picturesque landscape of the region, making it all the more charming and magical. There are, of course, some that are prettier or better-preserved than others and one of the best and most charming examples of all has to be the lovely Fortezza di Montecarlo, or Montecarlo Fortress, built in four phases between the 12th and 16th centuries and located in a highly desirable strategic position between the valleys of Lucca and Valdinievole. If you have found a villa with pool in Lucca and you are looking to visit one of Tuscany's most magical fairytale castles, then this is an excellent option!
Thought to date back to the 12th century, one of the most important early documents about the fortress tells us that a group comprised of 800 German knights who had deserted the army of Ludovico il Bavaro descended upon the building and settled there with their servants and grooms for some months in 1329. At the time, the fortress was made up of a main semicircular keep and two square towers that were connected by curtain walls to form a massive triangular block. Originally the fortress was named the Rocca del Cerruglio. After the adjacent village of Vivinaia was destroyed by the Florentines and King John of Bohemia and his son Charles (who would be crowned Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire in 1355) who had sided with the Lucchesi and helped them defeat Florence rebuilt it, the town was renamed the, “Monte di Carlo,” in honour of the young prince. The fortress would later be renamed after its new closest town.
Extensive restoration and expansion of the fortress came between 1397 and 1399 under Mastro Lanfranco da Como, then in the fifteenth century by order of Paolo Guinigi, and finally in the sixteenth century for Cosimo I de' Medici. It was under the Medici that the imposing complex of bastions with Florentine arches visible from the side facing town were added. In 1342, the fortress came under Pisan control then passed back to Lucca in 1369 and was then captured by Florence in 1437. As of 1775, struggles over the fortress ended as it was made into a private property when the Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo di Toscana disarmed it of all military features and had it sold at auction. For more than a hundred years it has been owned by the Pardocchi-Menchini family and, under their care, it has been restored on numerous occasions, conserving and preserving this historic gem.
During the summer months today, the Fortezza di Montecarlo is open to the public for visits and many come to explore the charming architectural gem that is the fortress, wander the beautiful courtyard garden and surrounding grounds with their box hedges, lemon tress, bitter oranges, acanthus, and old roses, and for the rich history connected to the fortress. Some important tales connected to the fortress include the aforementioned political struggles over the building but also the story of an apparition of the Madonna del Soccorso on one of the two square towers (now known as the Tower of the Apparition) during an attack by the Pisans that scared them into retreat and drowning in the Leccio, and the anecdotes of the men, women, and children hidden in the basement during WWII to hide them from raiding German soldiers.
Fascinating and utterly beautiful, this stunning fortress is a must for those who have found a villa in Lucca and are planning on spending any time in this area of Tuscany...
Extensive restoration and expansion of the fortress came between 1397 and 1399 under Mastro Lanfranco da Como, then in the fifteenth century by order of Paolo Guinigi, and finally in the sixteenth century for Cosimo I de' Medici. It was under the Medici that the imposing complex of bastions with Florentine arches visible from the side facing town were added. In 1342, the fortress came under Pisan control then passed back to Lucca in 1369 and was then captured by Florence in 1437. As of 1775, struggles over the fortress ended as it was made into a private property when the Grand Duke Pietro Leopoldo di Toscana disarmed it of all military features and had it sold at auction. For more than a hundred years it has been owned by the Pardocchi-Menchini family and, under their care, it has been restored on numerous occasions, conserving and preserving this historic gem.
During the summer months today, the Fortezza di Montecarlo is open to the public for visits and many come to explore the charming architectural gem that is the fortress, wander the beautiful courtyard garden and surrounding grounds with their box hedges, lemon tress, bitter oranges, acanthus, and old roses, and for the rich history connected to the fortress. Some important tales connected to the fortress include the aforementioned political struggles over the building but also the story of an apparition of the Madonna del Soccorso on one of the two square towers (now known as the Tower of the Apparition) during an attack by the Pisans that scared them into retreat and drowning in the Leccio, and the anecdotes of the men, women, and children hidden in the basement during WWII to hide them from raiding German soldiers.
Fascinating and utterly beautiful, this stunning fortress is a must for those who have found a villa in Lucca and are planning on spending any time in this area of Tuscany...
