Popiglio Towers — Rocca Securana

A medieval lookout above Popiglio

High above the mountain village of Popiglio, two stone towers mark the remains of Rocca Securana, a fortified site that once guarded the frontier between the Pistoia mountains and the territory of Lucca. Set among beech woodland at about 811 metres above sea level, the ruins offer a quiet and atmospheric encounter with the medieval history of the Lima Valley.

From frontier fortress to archaeological site

The commanding position may have been used as early as the Roman period. The stronghold was later reinforced under Lombard and Carolingian rule and became associated with the Counts Guidi. It retained a strategic defensive role until the fifteenth century, when changing borders and military needs gradually reduced its importance.

The two surviving towers

Rocca Securana was a larger fortified complex, but its most visible remains are two square towers standing at different elevations. Their separation reveals how the defences took advantage of the ridge and natural terrain. The surrounding woodland adds to the sense of discovery, while gaps in the trees open views across the mountain landscape.

How to reach the site

The towers are reached on foot along an unpaved mountain path from the nearest parking area. The Cammino di San Bartolomeo also passes the site and connects it with Popiglio. Wear sturdy shoes, carry water and avoid the trail during storms, heavy rain or icy conditions. This is an open-air archaeological site rather than a staffed attraction, so there are no conventional ticket-office opening hours.

Make it part of a Popiglio day

Pair the towers with the historic village of Popiglio, its Sacred Art Museum and the medieval Castruccio Bridge. Together they form a rewarding half-day itinerary combining mountain scenery, religious art and traces of the routes that once linked Tuscany with the northern Apennines.

Practical information

Address: Torri di Popiglio, 3Q23+RQ, 51020 Popiglio, San Marcello Piteglio (PT), Italy
Coordinates: 44.0520833, 10.7544722
Access: Final approach on foot over an unpaved mountain trail; suitable footwear recommended.

Sources

Municipality of San Marcello Piteglio — Torri di Popiglio
Visit Tuscany — Torri di Popiglio
Visit Pistoia — Popiglio and the Upper Lima Valley
Wikimedia Commons — image and licence