This is the first of a mini series of articles on the castles around Gaiole in Chianti. You will also find related info on the Castle Road of Chianti article.
In medieval times the Chianti area was covered by numerous fortified settlements, the various fiefdoms of local lords such as Guidi, the Trebbiesi, the “Monte Rinaldi”.
Since 1201, with the peace of Fonterutoli, Florence acknowledged his dominion over the region and the beginning of 1300 the territory was organized in “Terzieri” (three towns governing a portion of territory) brought together under the League of Chianti. Still today we can admire and visit ancient castles that for centuries have been at the center of the disputes between Siena and Florence for the domain of the territory.
The Castle of Brolio
The first settlement of the Castle of Brolio was of Longobard origins, although of the original castle no trace, except the original location, is left. Its role in history began to be relevant with the Twelfth century, when the powerful Ricasoli family settled at the castle, to whom it still belongs. Its strategic location was essential for the control of the region of Chianti on the border between the Florence and the Sienese territory. The fighting went on from the Fourteenth century until the middle of the Sixteenth century.
Brolio was in the heart of the Florentine territory of the League of Chianti which was composed by the Terzieri of Radda, Castellina and Gaiole. All the castles of the area were constantly strengthened to create two real opposing defensive lines on the Florentine ans Sienese sides respectively.
The Castle of Brolio has almost always been under the domain of Florence, with the exception of a temporary occupation by Siena in 1472. In 1484 the castle was again in the hands of Florence. During this period the castle underwent a large work of restructuring and strengthening transforming Brolio into one of the first fortresses with bastions in Italy.
Its stone ramparts, still in perfect conditions, have an irregular pentagonal shape. Some sources attribute the work to the architect Giuliano da Sangallo, responsible for many Medici fortifications.
The wall ring encloses the remains of the medieval castle, the quarterdeck and the romanic church, and a grandiose neo-gothic villa built in place of the preexisting structure by Baron Bettino Ricasoli (1809-1880). The Baron was a famous Italian politician (also named the Iron Baron).
The castle stands at the center of vast vineyards that since 1141 give the famous wine of the Ricasoli family. The wine is set to age in inside the walls of the fortress.
All but the palace can be visited. You can walk through the entire tour of the walls from where one can enjoy splendid views of the Chianti hills.
The Brolio Castle nowadays stands in the heart of the Chianti Senese, it is easy to reach from Siena, or via Castelnuovo Berardenga from “Valdarno” on the A1 highway.
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Brolio is 65 km from Florence, 22 km from Siena and 7 km from Gaiole. The map is right below:
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