ROCCA DI FEDERICO II

“ROCCA” di Federico II” The symbol of San Miniato is the tower of Frederick II, which is located on the highest hill of the city. In the seventeenth century, the Imperial work began, to start the tower. This fortification has underlined the importance of San Miniato as a strategic location.

The tower has a square base and is 37 meters high.

The construction was under the influence of Sicilian workers. The cylindrical columns and arches are witness.

Around the tower there was a wall. After this first wall there was another wall, where there were warehouses for food, the armory, the housing, the guards and the Chapel of San Michele. The testimony of the defense system exists in a Vatican fresco.

Throughout its history, the tower was used as a prison.

In XIV. Century, the tower was abandoned.

In 1944, the tower was destroyed during World War II and was rebuilt in 1958.

From the tower, also known as "Rocca", you can see the city of San Miniato, the Arno Valley, Volterra and Pisa.