Castello di Fighine San Casciano dei Bagni

It’s located in an excellent strategic position, on the watershed between the valley of Paglia and the valley of Chiana at an altitude of about 650 meters . It was mentioned for the first time in the feudal rights of the Marquis Godfrey in 1058. In the XIIth century ,the castle was owned by the Visconti of Campiglia d’Orcia, powerful family, coming from the nearby Chiusi, and later on , also Lords of San Casciano dei Bagni and Celle sul Rigo. The castle, itself, is mentioned in an edict of 1266, with which the Emperor Frederick of Svevia granted Tancredi, Viscount of Campiglia, the ownership of Fighine and other castles. Ludwig the Bavaro, also confirmed Fighine to the Visconti. Due to its position, Fighine became object of many quarrels among captains of fortune and lesser noblemen until it was occupied by the troops of Cortona. Among the owners that followed, the figure of the leader Baldaccio from Anghiari stands out. At his death, the Sienese Republic obtained the control of the castle. In 1446, great works of enlargement and reinforcement of the fortified structures began, but they were interrupted in 1451, due to the occupation of the castle by the papal troops . Pius II returned Fighine to the Sienese, only twelve years later . After the annexation of Siena to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, Fighine became dependant of the Grand Duchy of Cosmo de Medici. The present singular structure of the castle preserves a square plan with three angular towers. The square one results much taller than the others, it’s the most ancient nucleus, also called “Old Tower”, with remains of corbels. There are also an octagonal tower on the north- west angle and the other ,semi-octagonal and smaller, on which side the main entrance gate to the village opens up. From the square tower and the semi-octagonal one start out the defensive walls. The main body of the fortress, the towers and the luxury residence, have very tilted walls, crowned by corbels and divided by a stone cordon on the vertical part . Presently the restoration works of the complex are almost finished. They’ve been sponsored by a private person, who has acquired almost all the property. It’s only possible to visit the exterior part of the castle.