Villa Il Castagno

GAMBASSI TERME

At a glance

Il Castagno is an ancient estate on Monte Cornocchia, only a dozen kilometers from the famed hill top town of San Gimignano. It lies beside the provincial road to Volterra, known as the “Volterrana”, near the crossroads where one road leads to Volterra, another to San Vivaldo and the third to Castelfiorentino.

Il Castagno was recorded as early as the year 970 as belonging to the Bishop of Volterra. It was badly damaged and sacked by Piccinino’s troops in 1430 and by the Sienese army which spent the night there on 13 June 1554. Then the “Mansione” or hotel on the farm, once known as the “Osteria Vecchia”, was moved to its present site beside the provincial road. It became part of the Castagno farm which was built there in around 1600 by a noble family from Florence. Around 1815 it was inherited by the Marchesi Capponi of Florence. The Grand Duke of Tuscany visited the house on several occasions, together with his retinue, and almost always stopped to dine in the Villa with the Capponi. In 1834 it passed to Marchese Attilio Incontri as part of the dowry brought by his wife, Donna Ortensia, the daughter of Marchese Gino Capponi.

Today Villa del Castagno is an elegantly furnished and spacious residence (368 sq. mt. on the ground floor and 375 sq. mt. on the first floor) for an enjoyable Italian vacation in the Tuscan countryside. It consists of large and elegant reception rooms, four queensize bedrooms and four twin bedrooms, each with ensuite bathroom (seven with shower and one with tub). They are all spacious with charming furnishings.

The main entrance hall in the center of the villa opens on each side to magnificent large drawing rooms and living rooms, one of which with pianoforte and another with TV. The kitchen is country style with the original fireplace, equipped with cooker, oven, fridge, freezer, dishwasher, and is adjacent to the large dining room. There is a guest bathroom on the ground floor. The bedrooms are on the upper floor. Lawns and gardens surround the villa and the swimming pool (16 x 6 m) is set on a terrace below the house. There is a golf course nearby at Castelfalfi Golf Club.

Guests also have access to a typical Tuscan trattoria and a bar/pizzeria just a few meters away where groceries and local gastronomic products can be purchased (wine, extra virgin olive oil, honey, grappa). The restaurant will also cater meals if required.

On the same estate are several apartments in three of the old farmhouses, beautifully restored, and which are described separately (Il Castagno). These apartments can be rented in conjunction with the villa for larger groups. The villa is, however, private from the rest of the estate.