Roccalbegna

The houses nestled in the shadow of the great Sasso exude a unique charm: Roccalbegna is a village that has grown at the foot of an imposing cliff, crowned by the Rocca, a strategic fortress accessible only to those who dare to climb the steep stone staircase winding up the rock’s sides.

The respect the locals have for it is matched only by their certainty of its unyielding solidity: “If the rock cracks, farewell to the Rocca,” goes a local saying. The village has preserved its historic medieval layout of stone, narrow streets, and small arches, with the heart of the village hosting the curious church with its slanted facade, made askew by the repeated shifting of the ground.

Adding to the area’s charm are the surrounding small hamlets, such as Triana with its well-preserved castle and Cana, which showcases the Medici cistern.

In Roccalbegna, ancient traditions come alive each year in the Focarazza ritual, which in November lights up the night with the glow of fire, echoing with the voices of the inhabitants.