Castello dei Vicari
Medieval fortress in the village of Lari, seat of the Florentine Vicariate, open to visitors with a multimedia route and historic rooms such as the prisons.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The Castello dei Vicari dominates the medieval village of Lari, in the Valdera. The first nucleus of the fortress already existed around the year 1000, probably with even older origins, while the layout seen today dates largely from the first half of the 17th century. After 1400 the castle became the seat of the Florentine Vicariate, which for more than four centuries administered a large part of the territory of today's province of Pisa.
When the Grand Duchy of Tuscany was united with the Kingdom of Italy, the Vicariate was abolished, but at Lari a civil magistrates' court (pretura) remained until the late 1960s. The complex was also used for a long time as a prison, and during the Second World War it suffered serious damage from bombing.
Its historical revaluation began in 1991. Today the castle is open to visitors thanks to the municipality and the Associazione Culturale “Il Castello”, which runs it and organises visits and initiatives. The visit follows a multimedia route with interactive stations that tell the story of the fortress, and the castle also hosts conferences, exhibitions, concerts and historical re-enactments.
Highlights
- Seat of the Florentine Vicariate from the 15th century
- Multimedia route with interactive stations
- Prisons and historic rooms of the palazzo pretorio (magistrates' palace)
- Medieval village of Lari at the foot of the fortress
Permanent exhibition
- Percorso multimediale nel castello – Route with interactive stations that tell the story of the fortress and of the Vicariate of Lari.
- Founded
- 1100
- Operated by
- Associazione Culturale «Il Castello»
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €5 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3school groups |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 10 · Children up to 10 years: free admission |
| Groups | –Guided tours for groups take place by reservation |
| Guided tour by reservation | €6 |
The reduced ticket also applies to school groups.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: not available
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
To reach the fortress you must climb a ramp of about 95 steps; people with reduced mobility are advised to contact the management before their visit.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Weddings / ceremonies
The castle is available for civil wedding ceremonies, conferences, presentations and events.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours for groups take place by reservation; at other times the visit is self-guided. Dedicated visits to a historical period, with workshops, are offered for schools. To book: phone 334 396 3782. |
