Map Roccastrada to Belagaio Castle

Development: Km 14,6 | Time: 4.50 hours
Interests | Historical Architectural (Belagaio Castle) | Geological (outcrop of Rhyolite in the Pescine's area) | Botanical (durmast-corkturkey
wood on Lanzo torrent and monumental turkey trees on Belagaio road)

It is a bit difficult only in the trail that from the Gretano torrent goes up the slope of Poggio al Sugherone,
almost the entire itinerary runs on cartways, through fields and woods. half way to Roccastada we suggest
covering the route when it is cool. Water can be fetched along the route.

This itinerary leads us to the Farma valley, a very interesting environment under both the ecological and the botanical aspect. On the hill that goes down from Roccastrada to the Gretano torrent, we get through crops and Mediterranean macchia. It is a varied landscape divided into small fields which are very fertile thanks to the presence of Rhyolite rocks(that we can see emerging just beyond a farm called "Le Pescine"). We then find two springs: the first one is named "Fonte Forna", from which locals once fetched its pure waters.
On reaching the Gretano torrent, we cross the border between the two municipalities of Civitella Paganico and Roccastrada; we cross it all the way up. We then enter a wood of holm , cork , turkey oaks ,durmast and arbustus trees. The soil has also changed: we find Verrucano rock instead of rhyolite. Going down we come into a forest of impressive Turkey oaks that takes us as far as the gravel stone road of Belagaio: at its sides secular Turkey oaks give the road a solemn look. These oaks have been preciously kept by the Grottenelli family. We then arrive to the castle of Belagaio, which was built in the twelfth century but it has been entirely restored. The state bought it in 1969.The castle surrounded by lovely hills, fields and grazing Maremma horses , gives a suggestive and relaxing atmosphere.

Enlarge map

The elegant complex of Belagaio (a castle-farm) is located in the town of Roccastrada, on the border of the province of Siena. The complex rises up from the top of a small knoll near the Farma creek and it can be reached by following a path that winds through stupendous landscape.
This ancient fortified structure belonged to the Ardengheschi family in the 12th century. In the following century, it was taken over by the Siena’s city administration. After a slump during the mid-1300s, which affected this area, the castle experienced notable depopulation.
During the course of the 16th century, the castle became an agricultural estate. It was completely restored in the 1800s and its medieval look was recovered; stylistic elements of the time were also incorporated. Until recent times, the castle was the property of the Grottanelli family who restored the noble palace. From the tower of the noble palace, you can enjoy a marvellous panorama. The Belagaio Castle includes numerous buildings which were once inhabited by the small agricultural community that resided here. The Church of St. Leonard, also restored in the 1800s, has a rectangular layout, a nice Gothic-style portal on the facade and an original belfry.[2]