Ruins
of POGNI'S CASTLE, Certaldo (Florence) |
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Pogni
Castle, already known as Pogna, was one of the most powerful outposts of Semifonte in the
Elsa Valley, Semifonte was the principal castle of the powerful feudal dynasty of the
counts Alberti, last resistance to be eliminated by the Commune of Florence.
| Regarding Pogni, the first notice of the existence of the castle
is dated 1059. The fortification, become property of the counts Alberti, was besieged and
conquered by the Florentines in 1184. In the battle was taken prisoner the count Alberto,
to him was let swear to demolish within the year 1185 all the fortifications of the
castle at exception of the palace - "totum castellum de Pogna excepto palatium cum
turri" and also all the towers of the near town of Certaldo "omnes turres et de Certaldo". However, the promise was not or only partly
maintained, in fact from an imperial bull of the beginning of the 13th century is
confirmed the dominion of the Alberti family on the castle of Pogna. This can be
considered one of the last official demonstrations of the feudal power of this area,
that in the year 1202, with the destruction of Semifonte,
lost every power towards the Florentine. The definitely destruction of the castle happened
in 1312 by the army of Arrigo VII and then the rests were abandoned. In 1382 the
fortification was reactivated for the last and short time by Florence. |
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ACCOMMODATION IN CHIANTI: |
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| The actual ruins of the castle of
Pogni, near Marcialla. |
 
| Detail of the ruins of the castle of
Pogni, near Marcialla. |
 
| Detail of the ruins of the castle of
Pogni, near Marcialla. |
 
| Detail of the ruins of the castle of
Pogni, near Marcialla. |
The little church near the castle of
Pogni, Marcialla. |
| Still
today imposing, but unfortunately scarce, ruins rise on a hill at dominion of the Elsa
Valley. A high partially demolished tower and some shed building structures
remains. |
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