Rocca della Verruca

About

Photo by Daniele Napolitano, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons Rocca della Verruca is the stony crown atop Mount Verruca in the Monte Pisano range. It towers over the Arno Valley and rewards tired hikers with 360-degree views of the region of Pisa. This fortress, built in the 11th century, was a watchtower between Pisa and Lucca during medieval conflicts. The fortress walls follow the mountain's contours and its architects incorporated natural rock formations into the defenses. This site of Dark Ages military architecture has already succumbed to the one enemy it can’t defeat: nature. The remains include stone walls, a tower base, and the foundations of the ancient church of San Michele. The climb to the ruins requires a steep hike through the woods and takes between one and two hours. There are multiple paths to choose from, but they are all rated medium-to-difficult given the 500 meters of elevation to overcome. No facilities exist at the site, so bring water and wear hiking shoes.