Rocca di Staggia
A thousand-year-old medieval castle in Tuscany, offering guided tours with a unique modern art exhibition.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful exploration
Rocca di Staggia
Best Time
Fewer crowds, peaceful exploration
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A thousand-year-old medieval castle in Tuscany, offering guided tours with a unique modern art exhibition.
"A remarkable jewel of a find, beautifully untouched and free of crowds."
🎯 Book Guided Tours Ahead
Entry is by guided tour only. Check schedules and book in advance to avoid disappointment.
🚗 Free Parking Available
Convenient free parking is located very close to the castle, making access easy.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
The Stone Fortress
Staggia Senese
A remarkably untouched medieval castle with ancient towers and stone walls, offering a glimpse into history.
Artistic Narratives
Inside the castle
Discover a unique modern art exhibition that brings the castle's history to life through creative interpretations.
The Ancient Round Tower
Within the castle complex
Marvel at one of the rare surviving round towers with an ancient stone dome, a testament to medieval engineering.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Guided Tours are Key
Embrace the Untouched Charm
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Book Guided Tours Ahead
Entry is by guided tour only. Check schedules and book in advance to avoid disappointment.
🚗 Free Parking Available
Convenient free parking is located very close to the castle, making access easy.
📸 Capture the Mist
Sunrise and autumn mist create a magical atmosphere, perfect for drone shots.
🚶 Explore the Village
The surrounding village of Staggia Senese is also charming and worth a stroll.
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Book Guided Tours Ahead
Entry is by guided tour only. Check schedules and book in advance to avoid disappointment.
🚗 Free Parking Available
Convenient free parking is located very close to the castle, making access easy.
📸 Capture the Mist
Sunrise and autumn mist create a magical atmosphere, perfect for drone shots.
🚶 Explore the Village
The surrounding village of Staggia Senese is also charming and worth a stroll.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors praise Rocca di Staggia for its remarkably untouched medieval charm and lack of crowds, offering an authentic historical experience. The guided tours are informative, and the modern art exhibition provides a unique twist. Some note the lack of extensive amenities or a traditional museum feel, but the beautiful exterior and historical significance are consistently highlighted.
"Fascinating medieval structure, but no effort seems to be in place to take advantage of its existence. A museum would seem appropriate. Cute little city with some interesting buildings and lots of parking.
Apparently, you need to buy tour tickets to enter, but there was no sign of this when we were there."
Warren Paul Harris
"A remarkable jewel of a find. No tourist attraction... just a brown sign to say it existed.
Beautifully untouched and free Parking for an hour in the village."
Simon McCleery
"We really enjoyed our visit there. I was in charge of locating a small medieval castle to visit while traveling between two cities and picked this one pretty much randomly. They area is completely tourists-free. There's a free parking very close to the castle. As it is a private castle, you have to take a guided tour. We were very lucky to be there the day the only French-speaking guide was on call. We got an amazing visit with a lot of details on the history of the region, why and how the castle was built, and tons of little details about living on the very border of Sienna and Florence in the Middle-Ages.
Instead of filling the rooms with old furniture, there is a permanent exposition of modern Art based on the story of the castle.
For those interested in ancient architecture, the round tower is one of the only 4 surviving ones with such an ancient stone dome."
François Marquis
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Rocca di Staggia is located in Staggia Senese, near Poggibonsi, in Tuscany. It's easily accessible by car, with free parking available nearby. If coming from the Florence-Siena highway, take the "Colle Valdelsa Sud" exit.
While public transport options might be limited directly to Staggia Senese, you can likely reach Poggibonsi by bus or train and then arrange local transport or a taxi to the Rocca. It's best to check local transit schedules.
Many visitors arrive by car, as it offers the most flexibility for exploring the Tuscan countryside. The drive itself, especially through the Val d'Elsa, is scenic.
Yes, Rocca di Staggia is located along the Via Francigena and is a popular stop for cyclists and mountain bikers exploring the region. 
Rocca di Staggia is conveniently located between Florence and Siena, making it an ideal stop. You can easily combine it with visits to towns like San Gimignano or Siena.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Yes, you need to purchase tickets for a guided tour to enter Rocca di Staggia, as it is a private castle.
Ticket prices for the guided tour can vary. It's recommended to check their official website or contact them directly for the most up-to-date pricing information.
Opening hours and tour availability can vary, especially outside of peak season. It's crucial to check the official schedule in advance to plan your visit.
No, access to the interior of Rocca di Staggia is exclusively through guided tours. The exterior can be admired from the outside.
While on-site ticket purchase might be possible, it's advisable to book in advance, especially during busy periods, to guarantee your spot on a tour.
📸 📸 Photography
The exterior of the castle, especially with the surrounding Tuscan landscape, is stunning. The ancient round tower and the ramparts offer unique photographic opportunities.
Drone photography is popular here, capturing the castle's grandeur from above, particularly during sunrise or with autumn mist. Always check local drone regulations before flying.
Photography policies inside the castle may vary. It's best to ask your guide at the beginning of the tour if photos are permitted in all areas.
Sunrise and sunset offer beautiful light for photography, creating dramatic shadows and warm tones. Autumn mornings with mist are also highly recommended.
Don't miss the unique ancient stone dome of the round tower and the medieval fortifications. The interplay of stone and landscape is a photographer's dream.
🎫 🏛️ History & Culture
Dating back to 994, Rocca di Staggia has a rich history tied to feudal lords and conflicts between Florence and Siena. It's situated along the historic Via Francigena pilgrimage route.
While it has a permanent exhibition of modern art inspired by the castle's history, it's not a traditional museum. The guided tours focus on its medieval past.
Historically, it was associated with the Lords of Staggia (the Soarzi family) and later became known as the Franzesi Castle.
The Via Francigena is an ancient pilgrimage route. Rocca di Staggia's location along it highlights its historical importance as a stop for travelers.
Guided tours offer insights into the castle's construction, its role in medieval conflicts, and the daily lives of its inhabitants.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Tips for families: Ensure your children are comfortable with guided tours, as they are mandatory for entry. The surrounding village offers a pleasant place for a break, and the easy access with nearby free parking makes logistics simpler.
🚗 Road Trippers & Day-Trippers
Recommendations: Plan your visit around a guided tour time. Combine it with a visit to nearby towns like San Gimignano or Colle di Val d'Elsa for a well-rounded day trip. The scenic drive through the Val d'Elsa is also a pleasure in itself.
🚴 Cyclists & Hikers
The surrounding Val d'Elsa offers beautiful routes for both road cycling and mountain biking, with the castle serving as a perfect historical landmark to visit during your journey. Tips for cyclists: The area is well-suited for exploring by bike. You can plan your route to include a stop at the Rocca for a tour and a break. Remember to check tour times in advance to align with your cycling schedule.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
A Journey Through Medieval History
+1 Its strategic location in the Val d'Elsa made it a crucial point in the historical conflicts between the powerful city-states of Florence and Siena. The castle's history is deeply intertwined with the local feudal lords, the Soarzi family, who were prominent figures in the region. Visiting Rocca di Staggia offers a tangible connection to this era, allowing you to walk through centuries of history. Beyond its military past, the castle's position along the ancient Via Francigena pilgrimage route added to its importance, serving as a waypoint for travelers.
Today, the Rocca stands as a remarkably preserved testament to medieval architecture. While it's a private castle, guided tours provide a fascinating narrative of its past, detailing its construction, its role in alliances and peace treaties, and the lives of those who inhabited its walls. One of the most striking architectural features is its ancient round tower, boasting one of the few surviving stone domes of its kind.
Experiencing Rocca di Staggia Today
Many visitors highlight the convenience of free parking nearby, making it an accessible stop for those traveling by car through Tuscany.
For photographers, the Rocca is a dream, especially during the golden hours of sunrise or sunset, or on misty autumn mornings.
+1 The dramatic landscapes and the imposing stone structure create compelling visual narratives. Whether you're a history buff, an art enthusiast, or simply seeking a unique travel experience off the beaten path, Rocca di Staggia promises a memorable visit. 
Social
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