The castle of Vicopisano, was built around the year 1000, because the position of the place allowed to control the Arno Valley, on the border between the territories of Pisa and Lucca
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In 1138 the castle was acquired to the possessions of the bishop of Pisa and became a crucial military stronghold in organizing the Republic of Pisa . The Pisan army repeatedly rejected attempts by Lucca’s army to conquer the important stronghold, which remained under the control of the maritime republic until 1406 when it capitulated after an eight-month siege by the Florentines who shortly afterwards also conquered the city of Pisa.
At that time the Arno River was navigable and flowed under near the walls of the town.
After the conquest of Pisa The Florentines gave mandate to the great architect Filippo Brunelleschi to strengthen the fortifications of Vicopisano who acquired the current status. The stronghold consists of a bastion than fifty feet from the side situated in the highest point of the village. In the west corner is a square tower 31 meters high overlooking a wall that connects the tower itself to one of the towers of the city walls, the SelvaticiTower , The castle walls were interspersed with square and semicircular towers. The access to the fortress was trough a drawbridge now disappeared.
In later centuries, failed the strategic importance, the fortress of Vicopisano was first abandoned and then became private property.