Tuscany, like all of Italy, until Unity was divided into several kingdoms, each independent of the other and each ready to defend itself.

In memory of the times of division and long struggles, there are still wonderful villages and fortified cities scattered throughout Tuscany.

Medici’s Tuscany

When we think of Tuscany, we immediately think of the family that made it known: the Medici.

The conquest of Tuscany was not easy or immediate but of blood and infighting between the cities and one of them never fell: Lucca.

Lucca, walled city par excellence

Walking, skating, running or even just climbing the walls of Lucca is a unique and exciting experience. The four kilometers of tree-lined walls that embrace this jewel of the city are completely walkable and original.

Lucca is the only city in Tuscany that was not conquered by the Medici family and keeps its sixteenth-century walls intact but it is not the only Tuscan wall.

Monteriggioni, the smallest city wall

Much smaller than the Lucca walls are those of Monteriggioni, with a circular shape they close a small but strategic village.

Monteriggioni is in fact located halfway between Siena and Florence and was for years an outpost of the Sienese Republic for defensive purposes. Today it is possible to walk along part of the walls that overlook the Elsa and Staggia valleys that once divided Florence from Siena.

Walking on the walls of Monteriggioni is the best way to immerse yourself in a medieval atmosphere and admire the Tuscan landscape.

Florence and the medieval walls

The capital of Tuscany and the elective city of the Medici family has had many walls over the centuries but only the last one, the medieval one, is more easily visible.

Today only part of the ancient walls is still standing and cannot be walked on.

Florence was the capital of Italy in the early years of unification and was hit by the European-style renovation and modernization that destroyed a large part of the walls.

Only in the Oltrarno area is the medieval city wall visible, while in the rest of the city it has been replaced by more modern traffic routes. In the urban plan of the late eighteenth-early twentieth century it was however decided to save the main towers of the old walls and these can usually be visited in the summer!

Fiesole, one of the oldest city walls

Another city that has long resisted the power of Florence was Fiesole. In this case, however, we are not talking about the Medici but we go back many centuries to the time of Etruscans and Romans.

Fiesole, a city of Etruscan origin, preserves a stretch of very ancient walls dating back to the 4th century BC. which are still visible today.

This section of the wall is not walkable and no longer has the original height but retains a unique charm.

Tuscany region of walls and towers

This short list is not exhaustive of all the cities, outposts or fortifications that dot Tuscany but gives an example of a great variety of them and incredible history that lies there.

We are waiting for you at Villa Campestri to be able to comfortably explore this wonderful region!