A castle of medieval origin of which no traces remain nowadays except in major historical events, Semifonte is a place steeped in history and legend nestled in the most evocative Tuscan hills.
Founded in the 12th century by Albert IV of Prato's noble Alberti family, the name comes from the Latin Summus Fons, a locution meaning "sum spring," indicating the presence of a spring of water in the area where it was built.
The city developed rapidly due to its strategic location and became a major economic and political center, one of the main ones in the entire Valdelsa. However, its growth and influence led to conflicts with Florence. After the surrender of Count Albert IV and other supporters of Semifonte, in 1202 the castle was besieged and destroyed by the Florentines, who also forbade its subsequent reconstruction on the site. To this day, the only visible sign of its existence, is the Chapel of St. Michael the Archangel, built in 1597; a small replica of Florence Cathedral that bears memory of the ancient glories of this fascinating lost city.
