The medieval castle of Malmantile, set in a charming hill landscape, is a rather unique historical site, with its intact defensive walls.
The castle was built in the early 15th century, during the same period as the walls of Lastra a Signa, following the complaints of the local residents, who had been left defenceless during the invasion of the troops of Alberico da Barbiano in 1397. Unlike Lastra’s, the walls of Malmantile were not constructed to enclose a village, but to meet defensive needs.
After the fall of the Florentine Republic in 1530, the fortifications along the Via Pisana began to lose their importance and during the second half of the 18th century a new road was built between Montelupo and Porto di Mezzo. Malmantile therefore became isolated, which contributed to the preservation of its defensive walls.
The walls were constructed on underlying rock and have a rectangular plan and square-base towers. Many of its original elements are still visible along the stretch facing Pisa, such as the square machicolations from which the guards could drop heavy objects or hot liquids on assailants attempting an attack.
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