CASTELLO DI GINEVRA

Description

Castello di Ginevra

Location and Surrounding Area

Immersed in the peaceful Tuscan countryside, this magnificent restored castle is ideally located to explore the region’s cultural highlights and most spectacular natural wonders. With breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside, this exclusive property is the perfect location for unforgettable day trips to the most beautiful towns in Tuscany and provides a unique opportunity to admire its splendid landscapes while soaking up the region’s incredibly rich historical and cultural heritage.

The villa is just a few kilometers from San Gimignano, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Italy. From afar, San Gimignano looks like a town from a Renaissance painting: a circle of 13th-century walls enclosing tall, teetering stone towers. Its towers make it instantly recognizable, but the art treasures held within its walls are just as remarkable. Although the town is small, there is enough art, architecture and fine food to keep you busy for more than one day.

The villa is just a stone’s throw from Florence, a treasure trove of art with an astonishing contemporary vibe. Beyond the extraordinary artistic heritage, a testimony to its centuries of civilization, the best way to enjoy Florence is to stroll along the riverside avenues at sunset, or to get lost among the city’s myriad alleyways of the bohemian Oltrarno or the narrow little streets of San Niccolò, where it feels like you have ended up in another time along its centuries-old walls.

The villa is also a few kilometers from Volterra, one of Tuscany’s most dramatic hilltop towns. Despite its many attractions, Volterra sees fewer tourists than other Tuscan towns, so you can expect to share its winding stone streets with locals and explore its ancient sites without crowds. Founded by the Etruscans and surrounded by medieval walls, Volterra has a notable historic center filled with fascinating Roman ruins, medieval buildings and alabaster workshops.

The villa is just a stone’s throw from the medieval town of Siena. Its ancient red brick buildings, the scallop-shaped main square Piazza del Campo and the Cathedral Square, dominated by the zebra-striped Duomo, make it an absolute must for anyone traveling to Tuscany. Effectively an open-air museum celebrating the Gothic, Siena boasts secular monuments that have retained both their medieval forms and their exceptional art collections, providing plenty to marvel at.

In one hour and ten minutes by car you can reach Pisa, exceptionally well-known for its Leaning Tower. Moving between its alleys and riversides you will discover architectural jewels such as Santa Maria della Spina, the headquarters of the Scuola Normale Superiore in Piazza dei Cavalieri, the exhibitions of Palazzo Blu and the magnetic charm of Piazza dei Miracoli. Start from the Baptistery and head to the 130-meter Camposanto Monumentale overlooking the square.

Castello di Ginevra is 36 km from Florence Amerigo Vespucci International Airport, 65 km from Pisa Galileo Galilei International Airport, 126 km from Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport and 319 km from Rome Leonardo da Vinci International Airport. San Gimignano is 24 km from the villa, Florence is 38 km, Volterra is 40 km, Siena is 59 km, Lucca is 69 km, Pisa is 70 km, Livorno is 76 km, Viareggio is 103 km, Forte dei Marmi is 109 km.

The Property

Perched on a hill with charming views of the surrounding area, Castello di Ginevra provides the perfect retreat for those seeking complete privacy and relaxation in the heart of Tuscany. Surrounded by a serene countryside of gently rolling hills, this property has been completely restored whilst maintaining the spirit and atmosphere of a noble mansion. Dating back to 1210, this elegant castle can accommodate up to twelve guests featuring six bedrooms (4 double bedrooms and 2 twin rooms) with en-suite bathroom.

The Castello’s history dates back to 1210, when the Counts Alberti di Certaldo, chief of the ruling Longobard family that dominated the nearby Elsa valley, built Caput Aulae, as the centre of Val d'Elsa's court. The Alberti family owned and lived in this fabulous Castle, later transforming it into an elegant mansion, until the 17th century. Traces of the original 13th-century fortified castle are still discernible in the square brick tower and the defensive walls alongside the villa.

Luxurious facilities complement the villa, including a private pool, a consecrated chapel, a 13th-century tower and breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. In front of the villa you will find a generous garden with views of the Tuscan countryside. A staircase leads down to the exclusive swimming pool, which is surrounded by a lawn and an arcaded loggia. Offering a calm atmosphere, the poolside area represents an idyllic spot for basking in the sun and enjoying wonderful moments of relaxation.

On the ground floor, the front door leads into a spacious living room with fireplace. On the left, a beautiful marble staircase leads up to the first floor. From the living room, a corridor provides access to the rest of the house. The spacious and fully-equipped kitchen has terracotta floors and beamed ceilings. Along the corridor, beyond a guest bathroom, there is a sumptuous dining room with French windows opening onto the courtyard. On this floor you will also find a double bedroom with en-suite bathroom with Jacuzzi tub.

On the first floor, at the top of the marble staircase, a long corridor leads to the bedrooms. On the right there is a double bedroom with en-suite bathroom with shower and Jacuzzi tub. To the left there are two twin bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, one with shower and tub and the other with Jacuzzi and shower. On this floor there is also a double bedroom with en-suite bathroom with Jacuzzi tub and shower, and balcony overlooking the front yard.

The annex is a medieval tower standing alongside the villa and has its own access. From the living room on the ground floor a staircase takes you up to a double bedroom with its own bathroom with shower. Here you will also find a breathtaking roof terrace.A Limonaia is converted into a casual sitting room, with six arched windows offering sweeping views of surrounding countryside. In the garden there is also a 13th-century chapel dedicated to Saint Bartholomew, restored during the 18th century, which contains a crypt.

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