The remarkable fortress of Radicofani north east of Capalbio on the road to Siena is one of the most beautiful in all of Italy. Standing on a rocky cliff overlooking the town and two valleys, it defended and controlled the Via Francigena road which shuttled pilgrims and crusaders from northern Europe down to Rome and then on to Bari in southern Italy to embark for the Holy Land in the Middle Ages.

In 1297 the fortress was conquered by the Robin Hood bandit Ghino di Tacco, son of a wealthy count and noble family, who was hunted unsuccessfully by the authorities and so famous for his exploits that Dante wrote about him in the Divine Comedy. He allowed students and poor pilgrims to go free but was ruthless in relieving the rich of their wealth while still leaving them enough to continue their journey, and once robbed but then healed a sick abbot before sending him on his way.