Castillo de Meleto
El imponente "Castello di Meleto", en sus partes más antiguas, se remonta al siglo X. Perteneció a los Monjes benedictinos y luego a la Familia Ricasoli, que tomó posesión del castillo en 1200 (les dijimos que eran una familia poderosa, ¿no es así?).
Desde 1968, el Spa Viticola Toscana, una granja especializada en la producción de Chianti Clásico DOCG, compró la propiedad. El Castillo de Meleto organiza visitas guiadas de la planta principal del castillo, de su pequeño teatro y de los sótanos. También alberga eventos y bodas. Más información en el sitio web oficial del Castillo de Meleto.
Castillo de Monteluco
El Castillo de Monteluco domina el pueblo de Lecchi, a pocos kilómetros al sur de Gaiole en Chianti. En contraste con los complejos que mencionamos anteriormente, el castillo siempre sirvió para su propósito original, como un verdadero puesto de avanzada de soldados, y nunca se convirtió en una casa solariega. El complejo fue recientemente renovado y dividido en casas señoriales privadas, pero la apariencia original ha permanecido intacta. También debes saber que la enorme torre que defiende el lado más débil del castillo, el "Nibbio", es un apartamento independiente que ofrece hospedaje. Aquí está el enlace al sitio del Castillo de Monteluco.
Castillo de Montegrossi
En la cima de una colina un poco más al sur de Badia a Coltibuono se encuentran las ruinas del castillo de Montegrossi, un importante baluarte de defensa de la época medieval. Hecho curioso: el complejo resistió repetidos ataques feroces a lo largo de los siglos, pero no pudo hacer nada para resistir los ataques del ejército de Carlos V en 1530. El castillo fue desgraciadamente destruido y, desde entonces, las ruinas han sido abandonadas.
Castle of Meleto
The imposing “Castello di Meleto” as well, in its oldest parts, dates back to the year 1000. It belonged to Benedictine monks and then to the Ricasoli family, who took possession of the castle in 1200 (we did tell you they were a powerful family, didn’t we?).
Since 1968, the Viticola Toscana Spa, a farm specialized in production of Chianti Classico DOCG, bought the property. The Castle of Meleto organizes guided tours of the castle’s main floor and its small theatre and cellars. It also hosts events and weddings. More info on the official website of the Castle of Meleto.
Monteluco Castle
The Castello di Monteluco overlooks the village of Lecchi, a few kilometres south of Gaiole in Chianti. In contrast to the complexes we mentioned above, the castle always served its original purpose as a real outpost of soldiers and was never turned into a manor house. The complex was recently renovated and divided in private stately homes, but the original appearance remained intact. You also should know that the massive tower defending the weaker side of the castle, the “Nibbio”, is an independent apartment offering accommodation. Here’s the link to the Monteluco Castle website.
Montegrossi castle
Atop a hill a little further south of Badia a Coltibuono stand the ruins of Montegrossi castle, an important bulwark of defense back in medieval times. Fun fact: the complex withstood repeated fierce attacks throughout the centuries, but couldn’t do anything to resist the assaults undertaken in 1530 by the army of Charles V. The castle was unfortunately destroyed and, since then, the ruins have been abandoned.
Castle of Meleto
The imposing “Castello di Meleto” as well, in its oldest parts, dates back to the year 1000. It belonged to Benedictine monks and then to the Ricasoli family, who took possession of the castle in 1200 (we did tell you they were a powerful family, didn’t we?).
Since 1968, the Viticola Toscana Spa, a farm specialized in production of Chianti Classico DOCG, bought the property. The Castle of Meleto organizes guided tours of the castle’s main floor and its small theatre and cellars. It also hosts events and weddings. More info on the official website of the Castle of Meleto.
Monteluco Castle
The Castello di Monteluco overlooks the village of Lecchi, a few kilometres south of Gaiole in Chianti. In contrast to the complexes we mentioned above, the castle always served its original purpose as a real outpost of soldiers and was never turned into a manor house. The complex was recently renovated and divided in private stately homes, but the original appearance remained intact. You also should know that the massive tower defending the weaker side of the castle, the “Nibbio”, is an independent apartment offering accommodation. Here’s the link to the Monteluco Castle website.
Montegrossi castle
Atop a hill a little further south of Badia a Coltibuono stand the ruins of Montegrossi castle, an important bulwark of defense back in medieval times. Fun fact: the complex withstood repeated fierce attacks throughout the centuries, but couldn’t do anything to resist the assaults undertaken in 1530 by the army of Charles V. The castle was unfortunately destroyed and, since then, the ruins have been abandoned.
Castle of Meleto
The imposing “Castello di Meleto” as well, in its oldest parts, dates back to the year 1000. It belonged to Benedictine monks and then to the Ricasoli family, who took possession of the castle in 1200 (we did tell you they were a powerful family, didn’t we?).
Since 1968, the Viticola Toscana Spa, a farm specialized in production of Chianti Classico DOCG, bought the property. The Castle of Meleto organizes guided tours of the castle’s main floor and its small theatre and cellars. It also hosts events and weddings. More info on the official website of the Castle of Meleto.
Monteluco Castle
The Castello di Monteluco overlooks the village of Lecchi, a few kilometres south of Gaiole in Chianti. In contrast to the complexes we mentioned above, the castle always served its original purpose as a real outpost of soldiers and was never turned into a manor house. The complex was recently renovated and divided in private stately homes, but the original appearance remained intact. You also should know that the massive tower defending the weaker side of the castle, the “Nibbio”, is an independent apartment offering accommodation. Here’s the link to the Monteluco Castle website.
Montegrossi castle
Atop a hill a little further south of Badia a Coltibuono stand the ruins of Montegrossi castle, an important bulwark of defense back in medieval times. Fun fact: the complex withstood repeated fierce attacks throughout the centuries, but couldn’t do anything to resist the assaults undertaken in 1530 by the army of Charles V. The castle was unfortunately destroyed and, since then, the ruins have been abandoned.
