Sammezzano Castle is located in Reggello, around forty kilometres south of Florence in Tuscany. Stay in a stunning villa rental in Reggello where you can easily visit this mesmerising place!
Situated on a scenic hilltop and surrounded by luscious oak forests Sammezzano castle is an extravagant example of fine Italian architecture. It was built in 1605 and became home to many members of royalty including the king of Italy, Umberto I in 1978.
After World War II the castle was transformed into a luxury hotel that offered golfing and spa amenities that attracted the rich and famous until its unfortunate closure in the 1990s.
Although Sammezzano Castle had some restoration work done in 1999, it was not enough to deem it safe for public opening and so had to be completely closed down except for rare occasions. And what a great pity this was! Designed with elaborate Moorish style, this castle is a haven of stunning colours, shapes and patterns within its 365 rooms, one for each day of the year! Each room has its own name and is unique in its design.
Situated on a scenic hilltop and surrounded by luscious oak forests Sammezzano castle is an extravagant example of fine Italian architecture. It was built in 1605 and became home to many members of royalty including the king of Italy, Umberto I in 1978.
After World War II the castle was transformed into a luxury hotel that offered golfing and spa amenities that attracted the rich and famous until its unfortunate closure in the 1990s.
Although Sammezzano Castle had some restoration work done in 1999, it was not enough to deem it safe for public opening and so had to be completely closed down except for rare occasions. And what a great pity this was! Designed with elaborate Moorish style, this castle is a haven of stunning colours, shapes and patterns within its 365 rooms, one for each day of the year! Each room has its own name and is unique in its design.
What a treat it would be to see some of its most magical spaces including the ‘Peacock Room’, where the ceilings and walls are embellished with fans of rainbow colours and intricate geometric patterns.
Or the ‘White Room’ with its extensive mosaic tiled floors and wrought iron chandeliers hanging from the ceiling! From there explore the Hall of Mirrors, the Hall of Lilies and the lavish octagonal smoking room.
The wonderland that is Sammezzano Castle contains many little niches and nooks, domes, secret entrances and hidden corridors…it’s the house version of ‘Alice in Wonderland’! One archway over a corridor of the castle sums up its description perfectly. Its inscription reads “Non Plus Ultra” which is Latin for “Nothing Further Beyond”.
Or the ‘White Room’ with its extensive mosaic tiled floors and wrought iron chandeliers hanging from the ceiling! From there explore the Hall of Mirrors, the Hall of Lilies and the lavish octagonal smoking room.
The wonderland that is Sammezzano Castle contains many little niches and nooks, domes, secret entrances and hidden corridors…it’s the house version of ‘Alice in Wonderland’! One archway over a corridor of the castle sums up its description perfectly. Its inscription reads “Non Plus Ultra” which is Latin for “Nothing Further Beyond”.
The interior furnishings especially perfectly adhere to the architect’s vision of where reality ends and infinite imagination begins!
It’s hard to believe that this architectural treasure is without electricity and water and yet is surrounded by over 450 acres of forest, gardens, winding paths, tranquil ponds and gushing fountains. In 2014 Sammezzano Castle was on the FAI’s (Fondo Ambiente Italiano) top twenty list of places people wanted to have restored to its former glory.
Click here to read more about the great work of the FAI and see other magnificent monuments they’re working hard to preserve for the future!
It’s hard to believe that this architectural treasure is without electricity and water and yet is surrounded by over 450 acres of forest, gardens, winding paths, tranquil ponds and gushing fountains. In 2014 Sammezzano Castle was on the FAI’s (Fondo Ambiente Italiano) top twenty list of places people wanted to have restored to its former glory.
Click here to read more about the great work of the FAI and see other magnificent monuments they’re working hard to preserve for the future!
Photo credits
picture 1: Paebi / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Paebi / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0
