Tower of Montalceto

The Montalceto Castle has ancient origins, dating back to the 12th century, when it was occupied by the Cacciaconti family of Asciano during a war against the city of Siena. However, with the peace treaty of 1175, the defeated Cacciaconti were forced to return the castle to its rightful owners, the noble Baroti family.

By the early 13th century, Montalceto was already under the authority of Siena. In 1274, fearing the presence of rebels, the Sienese authorities ordered the demolition of its fortifications. However, as the castle is frequently mentioned in subsequent documents, it is plausible that the order was never fully carried out.

Over time, compounded by the socio-economic crisis and the devastating plague of 1348, Montalceto's settlement began to decline progressively, eventually leading to its complete abandonment.

Today, walking around the area, one can almost feel the echoes of ancient stories that have profoundly marked this place.

By the late 14th century, when the Montalceto castle had already been abandoned, a new project was conceived: to build a tower on the site of the old fortification. This idea, promoted by the community of Asciano, stemmed from the urgent need to strengthen the security of the area, especially due to the growing tensions with Florence. The roads crossing the Valdichiana, often traveled by enemy troops, were becoming increasingly dangerous, making surveillance crucial.

However, construction began only in 1462, with significant changes to the original design, under the direction of Matteo Pinocci.

Once completed, the new tower became a strategic observation point, watching over the entire surrounding territory, just as it does today. Positioned on the highest hill and visible from all angles of the surrounding area, it became a true symbol of protection. Its location, near the main communication route, allowed for the monitoring of army movements and the prevention of surprise attacks by brigands hiding in the dense forests of the region.