If in addition to a wonderful vacation you want to enjoy an experience in the past, just 35km from Florence, this could be an excellent opportunity.
The first historical mention of this watchtower of the Counti Guidi "to defend and toll the Varco di Reggello" dates back to 900 AD.
In the course of its history it passed to the monastery of the Vallombrosan Congregation around 1300, the period to which the frescoes now protected by glass cases.
The building still have the thick walls that in some areas reach up to a meter thick.
The property has been owned by our family since 1936, when my ancestor Dr. Gino Castelli, bought it and began its restoration, which was conservative in nature.
Next to this residence is a small olive oil mill, that remained in operation until the year of the 1985 big frost with temperatures as low as -25°C... unfortunately marked the end of Dr. Castelli's farm.
Of the nearly 5,000 olive trees spread over the fields of the property, only a few remained, which, fortunately, within five to six years grew back and returned to producing their precious fruit!
In spite of the passage of time and modern farming techniques, my wife and I, together with our daughters, decided to move to the countryside very close to this historic residence to continue carrying on my ancestor's dream and to use all that my father had taught me about the countryside, wine, oil and honey to rediscover together with our guests the flavors of the past.
The residence is about 300sqm has just been refreshed and optimized the various modern comforts such as air conditioners, wi-fi system, heating, video surveillance, bed mattresses, safe... always respecting the architecture and history of the property, which is spread over two floors.
On the ground floor we find a veranda that leads into a large kitchen divided by a large fireplace that separates the stove area from the dining area.
Next we enter a living room of about 50sqm with large and comfortable sofas.
In addition to the fireplace in the kitchen, there are two other ventilated fireplaces that can be used in Winter to cook roast chestnuts or simply create a wonderful relaxing atmosphere.
On the second floor there are 4 bedrooms, 2 doubles and 2 singles, and 3 bathrooms.
Complementing these are two reading or board game rooms from which you access the various rooms with bookcases full of volumes on medicine, architecture, literature or typical Tuscan recipes and wild and aromatic herbs.
In the furnishings we have kept some antique pieces that belonged to our family, several porcelains and paintings that we wanted to keep in their original environment, collected in some showcases, to share these small pieces of history with our guests and friends.
Unmissable in this type of old stately homes, the cellar with the original lock, which we will be happy to show you, letting you taste our products but will still remain closed during your stay.
The property, a portion in a Villa, has its own entrance that opens onto a large garden with century-old trees of oak and cypress trees and a large linden tree.
For the exclusive use of guests is a 13mx6m swimming pool with a changing room and bar area and bathroom. The pool is open from May to September but also has a cover that allows it to be used, weather permitting, even in Spring and Autumn.
For barbecue lovers, again in this setting, there is a wood-burning oven for pizzas and a brazier for grilling.
The house is located 520m above sea level, in a key position to admire the Arno Valley, showing a fantastic glimpse into the Tuscan countryside.
The surrounding land, with "fields a balze" is cultivated with olive trees; where the cultivated land ends the woods of chestnut, pine, fir, and beech trees begin and in Autumn and late Spring, if the weather and climate conditions are favorable, it is possible to go looking for porcini mushrooms, pinaroli, chanterelles, dead trumpets, dormienti... on foot it is also possible to reach a stream where you can still find, if lucky, trout, crayfish and river crabs.
During the calendar year, consistent with the timing of agriculture, seasonal activities may be organized, such as visits to some beehives and honey extraction, olive harvesting, grape harvesting, and various walks in the woods on trails marked by the local forestry section.
These activities can be developed and agreed upon separately and, booked directly through the portal.
For additional security of the house, there are cameras outside that film the garden, street and veranda areas. They can be deactivated by the guest with a switch.
