Overview
Amidst atmospheres that seem never to have left the mysterious era of the Middle Ages, one encounters the historic village of Poppi, which, with its castle, contributes to this evocative tale that brings back to life the aura of past centuries. The bulk of the fortress is imposing, massive, and recalls its task of defending and protecting the territory: it was built at the behest of the Counts Guidi, undisputed lords of Casentino until 1440, when the betrayal of one of them paved the way for Florentine possession. Sometimes, in the darkest evenings, it seems that this mighty structure still narrates one of the greatest battles of the Middle Ages that even Dante Alighieri witnessed and participated in: Florence against Arezzo, Guelphs against Ghibellines. Today, not to be missed when visiting the castle are the rich Rilliana Municipal Library with its over 25,000 volumes and the 14th-century frescoes attributed to Taddeo Gaddi, a pupil of Giotto.
52014 Poppi AR, Italia
