Between Siena and Arezzo it is possible to immerse yourself in history, in particular to experience unforgettable medieval atmospheres. An experience thanks to the presence of a characteristic village that continues to attract the attention of Italian and foreign tourists. The Castle of Gargonza it stands on a hill overlooking the Val di Chiana in the municipality of Monte S. Savino. At the center of conflicts between Guelphs and Ghibellines due to its position, according to many historians it was also the home of Dante in 1304. In this place it took part in a meeting between the Florentine Ghibellines and the Aretines.
Castle of Gargonza
The Castle of Gargonza is a fortified agricultural village where it is possible to admire the tower, the remains of the walls, a thirteenth-century door and the Romanesque church from the XNUMXth century with bell gable and mullioned window. It is one of the best preserved fortified works of the whole territory with the houses overlooking the narrow alleys. Always relevant for its strategic position, Gargonza is protected by a wall circuit that dates back to the thirteenth century as the entrance door to the castle. The second wall is instead of the thirteenth century and was built for the expansion of the castle.
The silent and fascinating atmosphere that is experienced remains imprinted in the mind of those who have been able to admire the structure. Immersed in the woods overlooking the Tuscan countryside, Gargonza was founded by Counts Ubertini and every single step allows you to go back in time. An object of dispute since the early years of its birth, the intervention carried out by the Grand Duchy of Tuscany in the eighteenth century can still be observed today, which worked to reclaim the entire area. After the Second World War, Gargonza remained empty but in the seventies of the twentieth century he thought about it Count Roberto Guicciardini Corsi Salviati to carry out a demanding conservative restoration work. The objective obtained was to maintain the architectural values of an ancient medieval village.
The resort and the places to see
With the intervention of Count Guicciardini, Gargonza was transformed into an exclusive resort with rooms and apartments located in the village to live a unique experience. Ideal for visiting the art cities of Siena and Arezzo, the structure also allows you to organize corporate events and meetings but also for a relaxing weekend thanks to the swimming pool, 500 hectares of woods and a lake which is 5 km from the village. The parish of SS. Tiburzio and Susanna in Gargonza for religious ceremonies.
There is also room for culture with the possibility of admiring a Monte San Savino the church of San Giovanni, dating back to the XNUMXth century with the portal made by Sansovino, and the church of Sant'Agostino, built in the XNUMXth century. Also worth seeing are the castle walls and gates, the palaces overlooking Corso Sangallo, the Palazzo Pretorio with the civic tower, the palace of Cardinal Di Monte, now the seat of the Municipality, built by Antonio da Sangallo the Elder and with the decorated courtyard. from Giorgio Vasari.
Featured photo source: LigaDue, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
