The Castle of Vertine, or rather the “Walled Hamlet”, is located on the far north-eastern side of Chianti, close to a number of reliefs, such Monti del Chianti that reach the peak of 800 meters with Monte San Michele and constitute the watershed with the Upper Valdarno.
This area is particularly rich in castles because it corresponds to the medieval League of Chianti, the Florentine stronghold bordering the territories of Siena.
The castle of Vertine has always imposed its presence in this area, just like the castles of Brolio and Montegrossi. Public documents dating before the year Thousand document the presence of the castle.
The castle of Vertine was also the castle of Chianti who achieved the greatest extension as a walled village. In the Thirteenth century the castle was already in the hands of the Ricasoli family, Florentine lieutenants of the area. As evidence of the castle’s importance, the Ricasoli resided in it at various intervals. Thanks to a series of fortunate circumstances, Vertine has almost never been in the middle of the war between Siena and Florence. It avoided all the looting and attacks that have characterized the Chianti area for centuries. Therefore it has arrived to us with no traces of destruction or reconstructions that have transformed the original structure of many other medieval towns.
During the Sixteenth century it underwent a renovation. It was fortified and expanded. Even today the wall ring of the village is almost untouched. On top of it is erected a magnificent rectangular tower that was used as quarterdeck, one of the best preserved of Tuscany.
Next to the tower is the northern entrance door to the hamlet. It couples the opposing door on the other side of the hamlet. Even today the only two entrances to the village. The southern door’s arch was destroyed in time, but the tower that defended the door is still visible. The wonderful carved stones that were used for the construction of the walls and the quarterdeck, are also to be found on the internal buildings of the hamlet. Altogether, thanks to the effect of all these elements, the castle of Vertine feels a true medieval hamlet in Chianti.
Here some pictures of Vertine
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How to get to the Castle of Vertine:
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