Castle of the Guidi Counts

High above the Arno River, which flows through the beautiful Casentino Valley on its journey from the Apennines to the Mediterranean, stands the castle of the Guidi Counts.

A landmark of the town of Poppi, it has not lost its prestige to this day; on the contrary, it has managed to maintain it for more than 700 years.

Documents from the mid-12th century provide the first evidence of the castle’s existence. At the time, it was a very simple structure, but when it came into the possession of the influential Guidi family toward the end of that century, it was extensively expanded and enlarged.

A stately home on the banks of the Arno

Under the Guidi family, the small town of Poppi became an important economic center, which is why they built a stately residence on the hill overlooking the banks of the Arno. The construction was entrusted to the famous architect Arnolfo di Cambio, who also designed the Palazzo Vecchio in nearby Florence; he likely used the castle in Poppi as a model for the Florentine building.

Built to last

This complex, located in rural Tuscany, remains well-preserved to this day. Unlike other castles and palaces in the Casentino Valley, it has never been abandoned, demolished, or destroyed by human hands. It has always served as the seat of important regional figures, politicians, or administrative offices. It still houses the municipal administration today. Nevertheless, its gates are open to visitors who, intrigued, can explore its corridors and halls, following in the footsteps of a bygone era.