The very fest mention of the castle Il Palagio dates back to 1252, though it is thought to be much older. Events of different nature have distinguished the story of this important building, whose proportions and impregnability have enabled it to hold out against the several raids during the centuries.
In 1260 the Ghibellini plundered the area and destroyed Campoli, but Il Palagio remained undamaged like in 1312 during the expedition of the Emperor Henry VII prince of Orange. The year 1320 was the year of the raids and destructions by Castruccio Castracani, while in 1381 John Hawkins' army was stopped in the neighbourhood by Buondelmonti's troops coming from Il Palagio. By that time the fortress, thanks to its impregnant walls, had become a place of defence or a base for actions of attack. From the 15th century on the castle became ownership of the Florentine Republic who transformed it into a fortalice.
The building, which originally had only one, storey has undergone many changes. In ancient times, the tower, which has a square basis, used to be lower and without any battlement (this was a feature of many other castles of the Chianti area).
The present battlement was realised during the restoration in 1910. From the XVIth century Il Palagio grew rich in many works of art. Many portraits of Florentine nobles, pictures with hunting or battles scenes or Terracotta from the school of Della Robbia were brought to the Palagio to adorn the splendid, great halls. The gothic chapel is fully decorated and in its centre there is a plaster cast picturing a Madonna with Child is also on display. The original work of art was here until the beginning of the 20th century, when it was given to the Bargello Museum in Florence.
The actual owner of the castle is the family of the Marquis Goretti Miniati.