The Fortezza Medicea (Medici Fortress) of Volterra is built on the highest point of the hill overlooking the town.
Despite its name, the origins of the fortress predate the ascendancy of the Medicis. The southern part was constructed at the command of Walter VI, Duke of Athens, who had been appointed governor of Florence in 1342.
Over more than a century the once friendly relationship between Volterra and Florence became increasingly complicated and at times confrontational: the discovery locally of valuable alum in the 1470s focused the interest of Florence, and in 1472, some 7,000 Florentine troops besieged and sacked the town, after which Florentine control over Volterra and the alum mines was no longer in doubt. The fortress was upgraded by another Florentine ruler, Lorenzo the Magnificent, who was also responsible for the construction of the adjacent newer fortress in 1474.[1]
The two fortresses are linked by a stone “curtain wall”. The fortress is now used as a medium security prison and tourist visits to the interior are restricted to a few days and a small portion of the buildings. A notable exception is that part is used for a restaurant operated by appropriately supervised prisoners.
References
[edit]- ^ "The Fortress Tower that dominates Volterra". Volterra, Valdicecina, Toscana. Archived from the original on 28 April 2017. Retrieved 27 April 2017.
Well, that’s interesting to know that Psilotum nudum are known as whisk ferns. Psilotum nudum is the commoner species of the two. While the P. flaccidum is a rare species and is found in the tropical islands. Both the species are usually epiphytic in habit and grow upon tree ferns. These species may also be terrestrial and grow in humus or in the crevices of the rocks.
View the detailed Guide of Psilotum nudum: Detailed Study Of Psilotum Nudum (Whisk Fern), Classification, Anatomy, Reproduction