Itinerary 1Following the Siena-Gaiole road, about 5 km after Pianella turn right uphill towards Monti in Chianti and San Marcellino where one of the routes from the ”Strada dei Castelli” begins. Continue through Monti in Chianti and you will reach the castle of Cacchiano at the end of a cyprus-lined road off to your left. The castle has belonged to a branch of the Ricasoli-Firidolfi family since the XIII century and has shared its history with the castle of Brolio. This Florentine fortress was conquered and demolished in 1478 by the Aragonese, who were allies of Siena. Rebuilt immediately it was again taken by Siena in 1530.
The various parts of the castle date back to different periods. The oldest section seems to be that of the southern face, which, although greatly altered, still has a buttress wall of rustic brickwork. To the east and north there are two ramparts with arrow slits, maybe from the 16th century. The north wing has been transformed into a late renaissance villa with elegant windows.
Carrying on along this road you will reach the castle of Brolio, occupying a prominent hilltop position. The castle, under Florentine rule since 1009, was assigned to a branch of the Firidolfi family: the Ricasolis. Situated as it was on the border between the Florentine and Sienese citystates, it was taken and razed to the ground in 1478. After 1484 it was reconstructed as a fortress by Giuliano da Sangallo.
Today we see a large, irregular, pentagonally shaped fortress with buttressed walls and arrowslits at various heights. The castle itself, situated within the outer defensive walls, was built of red bricks in the 19th century by Baron Bettino Ricasoli and recalls the Neo-gothic style of its time. The garden is open to visitors, and there are guided tours of the wine cellars.
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Official Site of the Tourist Information Offices of
Castellina in Chianti,
Gaiole in Chianti and
Radda in Chianti.
Last change: 24. 04. 2008
