Giglio Castello

Located at the highest point on the island, Giglio Castello is striking for the almost fairy-tale atmosphere of its historic center, surrounded by well-preserved walls and towers that bear witness to a past of battles and conquests.
Of medieval origins, Giglio Castello is characterized by the imposing Rocca Aldobrandesca, in Piazza XVIII Novembre, an imposing defensive construction that makes this village a charming and uniquely fascinating destination. Along the road that meanders from the Port to the Castle, on the right, what catches the eye is an old lighthouse, a fascinating reminder of the 18th century.

Entering the Castello, an articulated defensive structure designed to allow crossfire by archers, one seems to relive the challenges faced in the past by the island’s inhabitants to defend themselves against frequent attacks by Saracen pirates. The resilience of those times finds a reminder in the Church of St. Peter the Apostle, where some weapons captured from the pirates after a memorable victory in the 1700s are preserved.
St. Peter’s Church is the main church in Giglio Castello, and holds several artistic treasures, including a 16th-century ivory crucifix, attributed to Gianbologna, and the “treasure” of Pope Innocent XIII-a set of sacred furnishings from his private chapel in Rome.

From the church, a short path will lead to the foot of the majestic Granite Arch and the Ancient Well, witnesses to the great underground cistern built by the Medici to reward the Gigliesi’s resistance to the Saracen attack in 1799.

Walking through the narrow alleys of this wonderful village is an experience that seems to take the visitor back in time, among the arches, stairways and small squares. The relaxed and charming atmosphere of the place is further enhanced during the summer, when restaurants and cafeterias place their tables outside in the most picturesque places, giving the place a festive and lively atmosphere.