Description of the attraction
Rocca Strozzi is a castle in the Tuscan town of Campi Bisenzio, located in the center of the Florentine plain and has become a symbol of the city. It rises on the right bank of the Bisenzio River near the bridge that connects the historic city center with the western quarters.
The construction of a square castle with a side tower was started around 1336 by order of Ubertino di Rossello Strozzi (possibly on the ruins of an older structure) and was completed a few years later, under Carlo Strozzi. And the first documentary mentions of Rocca Strozzi date back to 1378 - the year when, by order of the Florentine Republic, a fortress wall was erected around Campi Bisenzio. The castle lost its military significance already in the 1450s and eventually turned into an agricultural center. And in the 19th century, it was for some time turned into a barracks for local carabinieri. Fortunately, the building has been perfectly preserved to this day.
In 1992, Rocca Strozzi became the property of the Ministry of Finance, and a few years later - the city municipality of Campi Bisenzio, on whose initiative it was restored. Today this castle is considered one of the finest examples of 14th century military architecture in Tuscany. Within its walls, a cultural center is now located, and restoration workshops are located in neighboring agricultural buildings, in which they work with Etruscan artifacts.
