The 13th century Rocca di Tentennano at Rocca d’Orcia, by Castiglione d’Orcia in the Val d’Orcia, southwestern Tuscany, Italy. Over centuries of conflict, the castle only surrendered when treacherous guards opened its gates to enemies and never succumbed to a siege.
Rocca d’Orcia, Val d’Orcia, Tuscany, Italy: the keep of the restored 13th century Rocca di Tentennano, its limestone walls repaired in brick, stands high above the Orcia Valley on a rocky crag, offering superb views of another nearby medieval fortress as well as Monte Amiata and the countryside around Siena. The Rocca was founded as rings of defensive walls, surmounted by a tower ultimately rebuilt as a pentagonal keep. The hamlet of Rocca d’Orcia below it is within walking distance of the larger settlement of Castiglione d’Orcia with its own hilltop medieval stronghold, the Rocca Aldobrandesca. The Rocca di Tentennano’s turbulent history is laced with intrigue and treachery. It was never taken by force, twice surrendering only when traitorous guards opened its gates to enemies. The Rocca at first belonged to the Aldobrandeschi family. It then passed to Ardenga lords who became the Counts of Tentennano. In 1207, the family issued the Charta Libertatis, acknowledging their subjects’ rights, but in 1251, the castle fell into the hands of the Republic of Siena. After time as a free municipality, the Sienese granted it to the Salimbeni family as collateral for a loan of 20,000 florins. In 1274, the Salimbeni gained the castle outright, but then embarked on endless clashes with Siena. In 1377, the future saint, Catherine of Siena, visited the castle to persuade the Salembini to make peace, but the conflict lasted until 22 September 1419, when the gates were secretly opened to Sienese troops at night. Cocco dei Salimbeni retreated to the keep with his family and supporters, but had to surrender when his followers switched sides. The Sienese used their new stronghold as defence against rival states, but when Florence finally defeated Siena in 1555, it became part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. By then, the castle had lost its military importance.
Size: 4175px × 2791px
Location: Rocca d’Orcia, Val d’Orcia, Tuscany, Italy.
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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