Castell'Azzara

(The sight of the village in winter)

Castell’Azzara, situated at the foot of Mount Civitella, was first inhabited by the Umbrian people and the Etruscans. The place name Castell’Azzara comes from a famous and historical dice game (called Zara), won by Bonifacio of the Aldobrandeschi (‘200).The Aldobrandeschi family built at the foot of the mountain two defensive fortresses; the ruins of the Rocca Silvana are still very fascinating for the tourists. Built for a defensive purpose the Rocca is probably one of the oldest one of the Amiata territory, mentioned since the 19th century.
Of particular interest it is also the now abandoned “Sforzesca”: a stately country-house built during the XVI century by the Cardinal Alessandro Sforza.