Borghi di Toscana Guida ai borghi e ai paesaggi della Toscana
The Forte delle Rocchette stands on the sea a few km north of Castiglione della Pescaia, to reach it take the road to Follonica, pass Riva del Sole and Roccamare, immediately after the crossroads for the latter location take the road to the left for Rocchette, a few more kilometers and you reach the beach located under the castle from which you can enjoy a splendid view of the fortress, which, being private property, cannot be visited.
During the summer there is also a convenient and frequent public bus service from Castiglione della Pescaia which frequently connects Le Rocchette and Riva del Sole with the municipal capital.
The Rocchette fort was probably built by the Republic of Pisa around the 12th century as a watchtower to protect the coast from Saracen attacks. In the following centuries the original tower was incorporated into a larger structure of which almost intact wall elements remain today.
In the 16th century the fortification was enlarged and restructured, transforming the original tower into a polygonal plan fortification. The original tower, with a square plan, is located on the landward side, while on the western side there is a building that was used as a shelter for the fort’s garrison. A battery is located at the tip of the rocky point. The three structures are joined together by a wall.
The beach and landscape surrounding the promontory where the fort is located is truly an idyllic place. This is especially true during the low season (winter, autumn and spring). While in the summer months the high turnout of people makes the atmosphere of the area a little less suggestive. In fact, in the area of the Rocchette fort there are numerous campsites. While inland there are also some farmhouses.
