Galatrona Tower
The ruins of an important castle in the Val d’Ambra
The Galatrona Tower is all that remains of one of the most important castles in the Val d’Ambra. The earliest mention of the structure dates to 963, but the area was very likely inhabited even in the Etruscan era: the same name seems to derive from Canastruna.
Originally, the castle had two towers, attested to by an artwork today conserved in a nearby parish church: in this painting, you can clearly see how the castle was topped by two towers.
The life of the fortress and the tower has been troubled. The 26-metre-tall watchtower suffered attacks at various times in history, as this territory was often in the middle of fighting between Florence and Arezzo, as well as Florence and Siena.
Today, the tower is no longer in the hands of occupying enemies, but was given a new life as a multimedia exhibition centre that narrates historic events involving Galatrona and its castle. But the view of the valley below is worth the climb alone!
