Marciano della Chiana reveals its defensive origins at first sight. The historic centre keeps the compact shape of the medieval castle, enclosed by walls and dominated by the tower that marks the entrance to the village.
A village built to control the valley
Its position on the hill made Marciano a strategic point in the conflicts between Arezzo, Siena and Florence. The rectangular perimeter, the cylindrical towers and the walls incorporated into the houses tell a military story that is still legible. The nearby plain was the scene of the Battle of Scannagallo in 1554, decisive for the balance of power in Tuscany.
The terrace over the Valdichiana
Climbing towards the panoramic walkway, the austere character of the fortification gives way to light. From above, the valley stretches out between fields, roads and the profiles of distant villages. This is the point where you truly understand why this tower was so important: from here the gaze reaches further than anyone else's.