Meleto Castle

THE MAGIC OF MELETO

Welcome to the land of enchantment and magic. Rising above the cypresses and laurels, Meleto Castle stands as a vibrant, beautiful and impressive edifice whose secrets sing around its enthralling history. This how you can reach the a castle where lovely princesses were married, where sparkling ruby red wines flowed and where the most gorgeous scenery displays its panoramic views. When you reach Baberino go through the Tavarnelle Val di Pesa. From there follow the directions to S. Donato in Poggio and reach Castellina in Chianti. From there, go on to Radda in Chianti and then through Gaiole in the Chianti area almost two kilometers from Gaiole on the SS 408 road from Valdarno to Siena. There in pulse of the Chianti Classico region you will find the stuff that fairy tales are made of when you view the fabulous Meleto Castle.

Inhale the scent of myriad aromas that arise from this splendid Chianti area. Walk through mysterious paths with cypress trees and laurel bushes and the ancient secrets brush against you as you go up to the castle. Let the history of Meleto Castle take you through the fragrances of woody hills and bouquets of marvelous wines, the refreshing odor of olive groves down fields of swaying wheat. Knock on the door of the Meleto Castle and walk in to find that this 11th century castle was owned by Count Ugo, the Marchise of Tusca. Later it was occupied by monks of the Coltibuono Abbey. The first feudal lord of the region, Guarnellotto, who took over was removed by the Emperor Barbarossa. Thereupon it was given to the Firidolfi family who were known as the family from Meleto being related to the famous Ricasoli family.

As a vantage position, the Meleto castle was built on a hill with its road that passed between Valdarno and Chianti. Its territory border lay along Siena. The Meleto Castle was in a strategic position and was considered the last fortified military fortification in that area being part of the Terziere and a member of the Chianti League with Gaiole as the headquarters. In 1269, the Florentine Guelphs saw damage to the castle by the Ghibellines in the Battle of Montaperti. This was recorded in the prestigious 'Libro degli Estimi' and from then on was considered the property belonging to the Rainerji de Ricasolis. Always in the middle of bloody battles, the Meleto Castle was considerably destroyed by enemies but never razed to the ground.

FORTIFYING A PRECIOUS TRADITION

Take a stroll around the Meleto Castle and notice the huge 15th century fortifications with its tower that is cylindrical in shape. Built as a protection against artillery fire, the tower was a stronghold and a strategic structure. Walk over to its villa nobile with its aesthetically adorned and furnished rooms with a lovely little 18th century theater that comes up as a surprise and a treat for the eyes and mind. Expanded by the Ricasoli family with loving care, the Meleto Castle stands in its picturesque surroundings with grace and nobility. Though the castle belonged to the Ricasoli family, it was occupied by the Sienese in 1478 for a short period and with the siege during 1529-30 which saw the defeat of the Sienese, the Ricaolis took possession again. Look at the keep in the center of the irregular, square shape of the castle with its old tower. The two cylindrical towers positioned at the South and the East, were built in the 15th century. The machicolations at the top of the scarp wall base are notably well preserved with a trapeze-like structure perfecting the art of a castle enclosure. The tower with bastions had openings between the corbels of the parapet. This enabled the soldiers of the castle to drop rocks or fire at the enemy below from the south. The north towers were mainly considered as watch towers thereby giving the castle a well-rounded protection.

This graceful military fortress extends with beautiful buildings with an appealing courtyard in the center. The buildings were constructed in the Renaissance style and later re-modeled with the Baroque design displaying corbelled windows and an immense portal in its south-west facade. The secret of the strength of the castle lay in its reinforced stone wall curtains which faced the road. The loopholes and the gun holes at the top of the enclosure fended it against its enemies which saw Meleto succeed in 1529 against cruel and barbarous feuds. In the 18th century, the Meleto Castle was turned into a villa and its defense fortifications were hacked down to give way to a more aesthetic approach. A branch of the Ricasoli family called the Ricasoli Fibindacci owned the castle. They sold it to the Societa Viticola Toscana in 1968 and it remains today as an agricultural farm which also produces famous wines. The farm covers an area of 1,100 hectares with its hill on which the castle stands as an imposing sentinel guarding its lovely surroundings with fierce jealousy. The estate also houses six apartments which hug the wall of the castle. These were restored in 1998 being originally old farm buildings.

The Meleto Castle invites you into its unique and elegant interior which is decorated with beautiful frescoes, period furnishings and stuccos from the 13th century surrounded by enchanting serenity. With strong leanings towards the church, the Rainieri di Alberto gave a building with a piazza in Poggio di Meleto to the Parish Church of Spaltenna. Through socio-economic and political changes, Meleto Castle remains a constant beautiful factor in the lives of the Tuscans with its momentous history and its quaint yet eloquent Romanesque Parish Church. Come and stand in awe at the castle which has hosted the weddings of Alberto Firidolfi's daughter, Lucrezia and in 1852, the wedding of Baron Bettino's daughter, Elisabetta. Can you imagine a more elaborate, gorgeous and exquisite setting than the Meleto Castle? Come and relax in its luxurious rooms with frescoes or walk around the stables with the lovely Chianti backdrop that exudes the charm of the old days. Sit in the sun and watch a beautiful landscaped garden come alive with the gorgeous weddings of the aristocracy. Say a prayer at the little private chapel that is opposite the Meleto Castle overlooking the square.

TOAST THE TRAVEL OF TIME

Go on, walk through the castle and go down to the beautifully preserved cellars where wines are stored in casks that absorb the essence of the medieval days. Take a long cool stroll around its enchanting courtyard or sit with the ghosts of the past in its elegantly decorated rooms. It is very interesting to note that the castles of yore were self-sufficient almost resembling a township. The huge walls are strong and fortified that enclose the castle and its buildings. The strongest part of the castle is the residence of the feudal lord and is surrounded by the houses for workers and servants. With the major affinity to the church, almost every castle has a chapel. The fields and other pasture lands were just outside the castle walls and all the workers returned to the safety of the castle and its fortifications. With lands being donated to the church, the woods and parts of fields belonged almost always to the Church with houses built for them and their relations. This is evident in the Romanesque Parish Church of Santa Maria in Spaltenna.

Go through the splendidly frescoed apartments in Meleto Castle and enjoy the art and architecture of the Sala della Mappa, the Sala Campione, the Sala Fratina, the Sala dell'Affresco, the Sala del Caminetto, the Sala della Stufa, the Sala dello Stemma and the Sala Virginia. Spend some time gazing with absolute awe at the baron's bedroom with its lavish furnishing and décor and drink a glass of the famous wines of the region stored in the old ancient cellars. Step into the courtyard and bump into the ghost of Guarnellotto who still craves to be the lord of the manor. Meleto Castle takes you into a world where the imagination runs riot with its traditions, natural beauty and its amazing architecture. Sit at the bottom of the hill and let the strong fortifications tell you a story of its eloquent history where battles raged and terrible wars were fought over its fantastic position and fertile lands. Listen to the clash of steel and the cannon booming around the hills as Federico I Barbarossa wrested the Meleto castle from his enemy, Guarnellotto.

Come in and find the warmth of a beautiful medieval castle and wander through its huge interior. Picnic in its woods and watch the Meleto Castle silhouetted against a Tuscan sunset.

Let the spirit of time enhance the beauty of Meleto Castle...