Splendid medieval castle situated in a hilly and panoramic position at 168 m above sea level, 9 km from the centre of Florence.
The castle is set in a dominant position on a hill and is surrounded by 8 hectares of land with tall trees, many of which are centuries old. Privacy is guaranteed by a dense park of cypresses and holm oaks. Thanks to its position, the property enjoys a vast and fascinating panorama towards Impruneta and Chianti.
Built in 946 A.D. as a military garrison and later involved in the conflict between the Guelphs and Ghibellines, the castle boasts more than 1,000 years of history, enclosed gardens with mighty walls, important frescoes and a private chapel.
The structure of the castle is particularly interesting from an architectural point of view, as it is a perfect balance between the military style, typical of medieval fortresses, and the elegance of 16th century villas, a period when the castle was in the hands of an important Florentine family. It was at this time that the stucco work still visible on the outside of the tower and on the existing buildings was added to the façade of the villa.
In 1550, the family commissioned one of the most famous architects of the time to redesign and convert the castle into a prestigious villa.
In 1572, the property was purchased by the Niccolini d'Agnolo family, who had the splendid frescoes painted on the ground floor. There are also numerous coats of arms of families of the time. The villa was embellished with numerous grotesques, frescoes that can still be found in the Uffizi, and decorated with numerous frames and bas-reliefs.
The castle has a net area of 1,600 square metres and is arranged on three floors, plus a loggia and courtyard, from which there is a splendid view of the surrounding countryside.
The ground floor has been completely renovated in recent years. The frescoes are intact and do not require any restoration.
The first floor, on the other hand, is divided into three residential units that can also be unified and need some renovation work.
Weddings, exhibitions, parties and business dinners can be organised in the castle, which has five spacious and elegant rooms.
Inside the property stands a private chapel, still consecrated and used for weddings and private ceremonies. Thanks to conservative restoration, the little church still retains the simple appearance of buildings of medieval origins. The chapel features a fresco by the School of Giotto, while above the entrance door there is a bas-relief by the School of Luca della Robbia, depicting Saint Lucia.
The entire property, both the castle and the garden within the walls, are protected by theSuperintendency for Architectural Heritage. Therefore, it is possible to benefit from a reduction in the taxation of the property both when purchasing and maintaining it.
Thanks to the careful restoration and great care of the current owner, the castle is now one of the most elegant properties in Florence and combines features from different architectural styles.
