Rocca di Sarteano Sarteano

ORARI DI APERTURA E VISITA:
OPENING TIME
JANUARY 1st to FEBRUARY 28th Saturday and before holiday days , midweek also 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday and holidays ,midweek also 10.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
MARCH 1st to APRIL 10th Saturday and before holiday days, midweek also 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday and holidays, midweek also 10.30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2p.m. to 6 p.m.
APRIL 11th to JUNE 30th Before holiday days and holidays, midweek also 10.30a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
JULY 1st to JULY 19th Everyday from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 3.30 p.m. to 7p.m. Friday open in the evening from 9:30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m.
JULY 20th to AUGUST 19th Everyday from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 3.30 p.m. to 11.30 p.m.
The Castle of Sarteano rises on the slopes of the northern- eastern side of Mount Cetona, in the portion of the watershed territory between the Val di chiana and the Val d’Orcia on a mighty rocky, travertine stone surrounded by a luxuriant vegetation , that throughout the centuries has contributed to its impregnability and that today creates a natural park with secular evergreen oaks. The Castle has been known since High Medieval times, during such period, it was the main administrative center appointed for the stipulation of acts, donations and assignments ( the first known document, where the Castle is mentioned dates back to 1038 A.D. ) . After the year one thousand ,the Castle was dominated by the Counts Manenti of Sarteano, that held such position until 1280. Later on the Castle was theatre of many struggles and fights until the township of Sarteano , in 1379,became part of the Republic of Siena. From that time on, the castle underwent radical changes, thanks to the presence of important artists from the Sienese School, among whom Lorenzo di Pietro di Giovanni di Lando, nicknamed “il Vecchietta “ (1410 – 1480 ), Guidoccio d’Andrea and Antonio Federighi. As a matter of fact, in 1467 – 1469, the main tower was endowed with perimeter walls with two circular dented towers , interrupted at the entrance point with a gate with a draw bridge. The interior of the castle has four stories and a final terrace that crowns the main tower, from where one can admire a large part of the surrounding territory. A spiral staircase , made up of 134 travertine steps, that crosses vertically the entire structure is very interesting . It was the last escape route in case of siege, since starting from the top, it connected ,directly ,the last floor of the castle to the ground floor, exiting in the countryside. The castle survived to many important sieges, among which, the one by Cesare Borgia in 1503 and the one by the Spanish army in 1552, up to 1556, when it passed under the dominion of the Medici family, in this way definitely putting an end to the Republic of Siena. In 1617, it was finally donated, entirely, to Brandimarte Fanelli and to all his descendants . They owned it until 1997, when it was bought by the township administration and it was restored. Throughout the year, inside the structure and the park, cultural and wine and gourmet events take place: history, art and tradition create an environment that makes the centre of Sarteano quite welcoming and lively. Throughout the year, Clanis Service, also offers guided didactic tours to grade school students, through different types of packages : - Guided tour to the Castle with animation: a historical character among many , whose life is connected to the Castle of Sarteano, is chosen . He explains life during his own historical time to the students. - Guided tour with an environmental guide “ from the countryside to the Castle” : short trekking routes are proposed with the purpose of enlarging the geographical and historical acquaintance of our territory - Challenges among garrisons to conquer the treasure of the Fortress: a great team game, that takes place in the park and inside the Castle walls, where the students get in touch with history, legends and traditions linked to the castle. – Great battle between Guelphs and Ghibellines to conquer the castle: a battle between Guelphs and Ghibellines with logical, mathematical and cultural ability proofs, is proposed.

INFORMATION
Castello di Sarteano Cell. 334 6266850 Tel/Fax 0578 20530  - mail : turismo@clanis.it