General & History

Midway between Florence and Rome, this hamlet is part of Italy’s embarrassment of riches – one of a myriad enchanting hill-top villages. Of strategic importance in the days when every self-respecting Italian village was perennially at war with its neighbours, it was fought for by all the big renaissance names plus a pope or two. Its 11th century castle is clustered with houses, perched on a pinnacle with a stunning vista of the sweet well-tended countryside of Tuscany, little changed since Perugino set up his easel. It took four years to find the perfect hamlet for this spectacular restoration. On discovery it was something of a gothick horror, totally enshrouded in ivy, which, when stripped away, revealed unsuspected wonders of the scale of magnificent abandoned buildings with high beamed ceilings. Like Sleeping Beauty’s castle, further treasures were found as the site was explored including ancient wine and olive presses. Within the village is a charming small church, as simple as a barn, endowed with kindly gravitas – perfect for a romantic wedding – possibly with a reception to follow in the spacious village theatre.