New Fortress

The New Fortress, also known as the Rocca di Castruccio (named after Castruccio Castracani, Duke of Lucca, who conquered the town in 1321), is located at the western end of the village of Serravalle, facing the Valdinievole. Its wedge-shaped layout follows the natural morphology of the terrain.

Its construction was decided immediately after the siege of 1302 when Florentine and Lucchese troops attacked the castle of Serravalle, a key defensive stronghold for Pistoia. After three months of siege, the fortress fell under the command of Moroello Malaspina.

For nearly thirty years following this period, the castle became part of Lucca’s defensive system, forming a strategic triangle with Montecatini, Monsummano, and Montevettolini. It secured Lucca’s eastern borders, creating an impenetrable barrier against Florentine forces. While Serravalle and Monsummano strengthened their military functions, Montecatini and Montevettolini combined defence with trade, fostering economic activities within their fortified circuits.

The entrance gate is located on the fortress’s longest wall. The structure features walls with remains of internal walkways and two watchtowers at its corners. To emphasize Lucca’s control, the guard towers were built using limestone from Lucchese territories. The original battlemented walls still preserve their arrow slits, used by archers to defend the village during sieges. Along the walls, traces of brick arches can still be seen, which once supported the walkways. Inside the fortress, a rainwater cistern remains, which was the only water source in case of a siege. The construction of the New Fortress also led to the expansion of the defensive walls and the redesign of the village’s road network.