Period Castle With Park And Pool In Chianti, South Of Florence

In the spectacular backdrop of the Chianti Hills, half an hour’s drive from the centre of Florence, this historic complex spanning 8,600 sqm comprises four period buildings housing a total of 84 bedrooms and 70 bathrooms. Surrounded by a vast 9.6-hectare private park comprising one hectare of terraced gardens with a swimming pool and four hectares of productive olive groves, as well as arable land and a private lake, this imposing medieval castle stands a short distance from Florence. The result of a glorious history spanning centuries, beginning in the Carolingian era and consolidated by the noble Acciaioli family, the entire property offers magnificent accommodation capacity. The extraordinary expanse of its outdoor spaces and the regal elegance of its interior halls make it a sumptuous manor house designed to welcome a large number of guests in the utmost splendour, demonstrating a perfect and natural suitability for hosting cultural events or refined hospitality services and high-profile receptions.

The castle preserves a historical legacy of inestimable cultural value, celebrated as far back as the 17th century in European architectural treatises and even depicted in Leonardo da Vinci’s own drawings. In 1546, its imposing tower was remodelled, taking the profile of Arnolfo’s Tower at the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence as its exact model, thus establishing an unmistakable visual landmark throughout the valley. During the Second World War, the estate became the 'Art Vault’ of the Renaissance, chosen for its security as a secret refuge to protect 272 masterpieces from the Uffizi and Palazzo Pitti, including Botticelli’s La Primavera, and historic works by Giotto and Ghirlandaio. In the early 20th century, the area became a magnet for the international aristocracy: Sir George Sitwell purchased the estate and, in 1921, commissioned the Tuscan master Gino Severini to create the famous ‘Sala delle Maschere’ (Hall of Masks), a pictorial masterpiece that adorns the living area with characters from the Commedia dell’Arte bathed in crisp Mediterranean light.

The estate comprises four imposing architectural structures, totalling approximately 6,740 sqm for the main building, plus historic outbuildings and storerooms covering a further 430 sqm. The ground floor features a sumptuous reception area, a large communal lounge enhanced by an imposing fireplace, and two spacious period dining rooms with professional kitchens capable of accommodating up to 150 guests indoors. The upper floors house 29 stately apartments and their respective guest suites, where frescoed ceilings, elegant mouldings and 18th-century salons blend with the rustic Tuscan charm of wooden beams, terracotta tiles and antique terracotta flooring. The Noble Chapel is a space of the utmost prestige, entirely frescoed by the Baroque painter Cosimo Ulivelli, and it adorns the castle’s sacred wing. A short distance from the central complex, an old two-storey barn has been tastefully renovated into a detached villa of 180 sqm with four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a delightful fireplace in the living room. In the buildings adjacent to the castle, which cover a further 1,600 sqm, there are 10 more apartments, bringing the total accommodation to 20 bedrooms and 20 bathrooms. The property is completed by a recently completed studio and other rooms used for storage.

The estate’s 9.6 hectares of land form a veritable protected natural viewpoint, where authentic Tuscan character is expressed through 4.7 hectares of specialised olive groves, 3.6 hectares of arable land and a large private lake used for irrigation. Surrounding the castle is a marvellous terraced garden of approximately 10,000 sqm, skilfully landscaped and enhanced by a fragrant lemon grove. Among the paths of natural gravel stands the splendid Latona Grotto, a circular nymphaeum in pure Rococo style adorned with mythological statues, shells and water features that enchanted travellers on the Grand Tour. Nestled in a corner of the park offering absolute tranquillity and privacy is the large 13 x 6-metre swimming pool, featuring a double stone access ramp and a spacious, fully equipped sunbathing area – the ideal setting for exclusive events under the Tuscan sun.