Tools and ideas for an accessible island

Giglio Castello

GIGLIO CASTELLO

History and Fortifications since the 12th Century

The Giglio castello stands today as a fortified center, enclosed by a wall in stone equipped with towers mostly circular.

Its history is very old and dates back to at least the 12th century when an early castle was positioned together with a church on the embankment overlooking east.

HISTORY OF THE ISLAND

Along the Tyrrhenian route

Giglio Island, set in the sea, may seem like an isolated place to retreat to contemplate thesunrise and sunset in a natural setting of rare beauty.

However, this is only part of the truth.

HISTORY OF THE ISLAND

Places of interest

The image shows a rough stone wall merging with a large natural rock protruding from the wall with an arch in the center.

Giglio Castello

The Door

As is the case with many fortifications of great historical and strategic importance, access to the town was regulated by a defensive system consisting of a double gate.

Go to the Gate page

Giglio Castello

The particle cadastre drawn up by the Lorraine between 1823 and 1835 for all of Tuscany under their jurisdiction also included the island of Giglio. From this valuable and precise cartographic tool we can extract some elements of evaluation on the possible structure of the settlement in the Middle Ages.

Go to the Rocca page

Go to all places of interest

THE PATHS OF GIGLIO CASTELLO

discover accessible routes

Accessibility in Giglio Castello

The village of Giglio Castello, thanks to the project of removal of physical and cognitive barriers, is now more accessible even for those who have mobility difficulties or need assistance.

Through the Desk H, it is possible to book supports and aids to visit the main points of interest in the Castle in safety and comfort.

The H desk is run in collaboration with the Municipality of Isola del Giglio and staff trained to provide welcome and support while visiting the village.

Outer Ring

The historic center of Giglio Castello offers a rare loop route outside the walls, which allows you to appreciate the evolution from the 12th to the 16th century.

From Gloriosa Square to the Church

The path starts from the main square, former site of the church of S. Maria, and passes through thesoutheast entrance with its medieval alleys. Among the stone buildings one reaches...

From the Lombi gate to the Rocca

The route begins at the Lombi gateway, the historic headquarters of the mutual aid society and today the center of cultural initiatives. From the Piazza XVIII Novembre there is access to the fortress

From the Gloriosa Square to the Lombi gate.

The route passes through the medieval village enclosed by the walls, starting from the Gloriosa Square, once the site of the church of S. Mary.

Inner path of the walls

The route starts from the municipal palace, ancient praetorian palace, and follows theinner ring of the walls showing towers e patrol paths. It reaches the cistern, the center of life...

POINTS OF OBSERVATION

Giglio Castello and the surrounding area

Perched within its ancient walls, Giglio Castello offers visitors four splendid vantage points that tell, from different perspectives, the beauty and soul of the island. From the Varco dei Lombi, where the sun sets over the sea and dyes the village's rooftops gold, to the Piazza dei Lombi, which opens its gaze to the northern coast and the Island of Elba, every glimpse offers unique emotions.

On the eastern side, the Argentario Belvedere dominates the horizon, allowing views of the Argentario peninsula and, on clear days, the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. In the heart of the town, the Church Square combines spirituality and landscape: next to the Church of St. Peter the Apostle, the gaze wanders to the harbor and the southern sea.

To walk among these places is to discover the history, quiet and light of one of the most fascinating villages in the Mediterranean, where every view tells of the harmonious encounter between nature and memory.