THE CASTLE OF POPPI IN TUSCANY

The Castle of Poppi was built in the XIII century by the noble family Guidi.
Wherever you are in the Casentino, you may see it: this is why it is considered the symbol of this Tuscan valley.
This castle was the inspiring model of Palazzo Vecchio in Florence. The stately tower is the only part that has suffered in the centuries a big structural change: at the end of the IX century it had been lowered of about ten meters after damage suffered by a lightning. Today its height is of 50 meters.
To access the castle you cross a lawn surrounding the building where you find the elegant well. Once entered you are in the inside court of the Castle of Poppi. Your look will instinctively turn upwards attracted by the wooden galleries and by the elegant staircase realized at the end of the XV century by the architect Turriani. But before climbing upstairs you have to see the stables, the jail of the castle, the plastic model of the Battle of Campaldino fought between Guelfi and Ghibellini in 1289, the noble coats of arms realized from the shop of Andrea della Robbia.
At the first floor of this castle you have to visit the great “Saloon of the Parties” and the historical Library Rilliana where 25,000 ancient volumes are preserved.
Climbing to the top floor, called Noble Floor because here there were the rooms of the Conti Guidi the caryatid of the Count Guido Novello will welcome you, one of the figures of greater relief of this family. With him the castle acquired the actual dimensions: he was the count who took in here the exiled Dante Alighieri.
In this floor you can visit the Chapel of the Guidi, one of the most interesting artistic treasures of the whole Casentino. Here there are six painted sacred scenes attributed to Taddeo Gaddi, a student of Giotto.
Close to the chapel you find the cosy “Room of the fireplace.” From the Noble Floor, climbing 104 stairs, you can reach the top of the tower from which you can visually dominate the Casentino.
For a website with more detailed texts (only italian version): www.ilbelcasentino.it