Extraordinary Castle With A View Of Florence For Sale In Tuscany

Set high on Florence's most picturesque hill, just minutes from Fiesole, this castle for sale in Tuscany boasts nearly a thousand years of history and embodies an unparalleled fairy-tale charm. Its neo-Gothic architecture, framed by olive trees, vineyards and Italian gardens, makes it a prestigious asset for high-end events, exclusive receptions and hospitality projects that require a setting that is unique in the world.

With its 3,665 sqm of interior space, the property extends over a private park of 14 hectares, including 6.3 hectares of IGT vineyards – capable of producing up to 26,000 bottles per year – and a 4.2-hectare olive grove that confirms its vocation for excellence in production.

A tale of nobility and vision

Built in 1031 and originally belonging to the Visdomini family, the castle passed to the Cattani da Diacceto family and then to the Alessandri family, among the most influential families in Florence. After centuries of splendour and decline, it was the English nobleman John Temple Leader who rewrote its destiny. Purchased in the 19th century, the manor was restored in neo-Gothic style by architect Giuseppe Fancelli, in a project that lasted thirty years and transformed the complex into a romantic residence surrounded by a forest of cypresses, pines and holm oaks, with paths, flower-filled terraces and a garden with caves and fountains.

Inside, the castle houses heraldic coats of arms, 14th-century frescoes from a Florentine chapel and reception rooms that have welcomed nobility and celebrities, including Queen Victoria in 1893. 

During the Second World War, it became a prison camp for Allied officers, adding an intense page of history to its fairy-tale charm.

Solemn interiors and boundless views

The castle is built around a large paved central courtyard, the architectural heart of the estate. On the ground floor, there are five halls with cross vaults, marble floors and original wooden details. The main floor houses four more bright halls and a 75 m² panoramic terrace overlooking the vineyards and Tuscan hills.

On the top floor are the master bedrooms, each with direct access to the walkway surrounding the crenellated walls, offering uninterrupted views of Florence and Chianti. 

The main tower, with its rooftop terrace, offers a unique experience: a 360-degree panorama embracing golden sunsets and the elegant skyline of the Renaissance city.

On the lower floors, the ancient dungeons open onto a paved cloister, an intimate setting used as a location for exclusive ceremonies and receptions.

External buildings: a microcosm to be rediscovered

The property includes a group of historic buildings of great value. Among these is a 65-sqm residential tower, spread over four floors with a living area with kitchen and dining area on the ground floor, and three bedrooms, each with a private bathroom, on the upper floors.

Next to the castle stands a 315-sqm farmhouse, once the home of the farmer and agricultural warehouses, now organised on two levels: on the ground floor there is a spacious living area with fireplace and kitchenette; on the first floor there is the master bedroom with private bathroom, a central sitting room and three other bedrooms with bathrooms. Part of the warehouse is divided into interconnected rooms with two bathrooms, easily convertible into a second apartment.

Next is a second farmhouse of 505 sqm spread over three floors: the lower ground floor, renovated in the 1990s, is suitable for a reception area, offices, kitchen-bar and bathroom; on the mezzanine floor are the historic cellars, while on the first floor two independent apartments complete the structure.

In addition, there is a 50-sqm lemon house, perfect for conversion into a meeting room or creative studio, and the old 250-sqm foundry, a simple building now in disuse, which offers large interior spaces to be renovated to create designer suites, art studios or a private spa overlooking the gardens.

A fairytale garden and excellent production

The garden, covering over 3,000 sqm, features geometric hedges, boxwoods and cypress trees, with flower-filled terraces extending towards the basement courtyards and vineyards. The remaining land is covered with lawns and centuries-old woods.

Less than ten minutes from Florence, this castle dominates the Tuscan hills with its neo-Gothic elegance. A fairytale place where history, art and nature blend in perfect harmony.