SNOW IN PIERLE

Snow returns to Pierle

06/01/2026 - It hadn't snowed in Pierle for years. It wasn't an exceptional snowfall, just 15 centimeters, but enough to cause some traffic disruption and whiten the peaks and hills of our valley. For anyone coming from Mercatale using the Val di Pierle state road, when they reach the straight stretch that heads toward the Cortona hills, they have the wonderful view seen in this photo. The road along the valley floor is fairly clear, while the climb up to the Rocca is already starting to show layers of ice. The view is breathtaking: the hills are snow-capped and the trees are covered in a thin layer of snow.

The second photo shows how the fortress appears to travelers using the provincial road but coming from the direction of Cortona. On this side, the road is in fairly difficult condition given the higher altitude of the peak between Mercatale and Montanare, just below Poggio della Croce. The photo alongside shows the castle's characteristic landscape, with its whitewashed houses and the backdrop of Monte della Croce like never before. We couldn't miss the opportunity to come to Pierle to take some photographs with this winter scenery.

Once inside the fortress, the main body of the castle appears like this, seen from the large square. The decorations installed during the Christmas markets are still visible. The lights are shrouded in ice. The castle's south façade remains unperturbed despite the valley's chill. The ivy clings undaunted to the west side as if nothing had happened.

From the southern terrace of the Rocca, you can see our valley, almost completely covered in snow. The valley floor is actually already quite clean; in fact, the snowfall only affected the peaks. I've never seen this view with snow before.

Turning the camera east, we capture a detail of the doorway to the walkway above the walls of Pierle. This opening was the passageway used by the soldiers defending the fortress to patrol the walls. This opening is located about 5 meters above the ground and provides an insight into how harsh life must have been for the soldiers defending the castle during the cold winter seasons.

By pointing the camera west, you can photograph the whitewashed pierle roofs and the snow-capped peaks of Monte della Croce and Monte Maestrino. This photo was taken looking out of the supply door on the west side of the Rocca.

On the opposite side, on the ramp leading up to the Pierle gate, you can see the valley from a different angle. The ramp is completely frozen. Only cats have dared to climb this slope—who knows what for? The light bulbs are frozen.

A photo worth sharing is the one taken above the little church of Pierle. It's one of the most characteristic of our site. All that's left to do is walk up the cemetery salt flats so we can see the Rocca di Pierle from above, with our valley in the background.

Descending the little road that descends from the majestic Pierle, above the last bend, just before the village, you can take the last two photos in this gallery, which are the most characteristic of our village.

All that's left to do is say goodbye to Pierle with this last photo, which alone is worth the time and energy of a trip to Pierle. Any time of year.

Last update 22/01/2026