Castle of Pianettole

Home description

The Castle of Pianettole was first mentioned in texts in the 11th century - it served as a Fortress and a Monastery. The stone tower and wonderful grounds will set the stage for your Italian holiday. It lies on 25 hectares of land comprising forests filled with deer and squirrels, and a myriad of wildlife. Adjoining is our vineyard and orchards with fruit and olive trees. For complete privacy and tranquility we have a private road that leads to the castle - a really unforgettable stay in the gentle Tuscan countryside at extremely reasonable prices. You will be the only guests on the property as the other parts are not rented out.

Within the inner walls of the Castle, we have charmingly restored what was once the original lodgings of the Castle's military commander. The house has three tastefully restored and furnished bedroom and all the modern necessities for a comfortable, unique and relaxed stay. The house is designed to comfortably accommodate a maximum of five guests (6 are possible as we can add a single bed in third bedroom) and is laid out over 2 floors, on the first floor is the living area which combines the modern kitchen and dining area comprising dining table for 6 or more people. We have just added another bedroom with ensuite but it is accessed from the outside of the house. On this floor there are two large double bedrooms both with TVs. The second floor comprises one double bedroom and the large bathroom. The very thick walls of this centuries old property keep the house cool in summer. Just outside there is a private patio with table and chairs and is illuminated for dining in the evenings alfresco. In an environment where special attention is given to service and hospitality (the owners live in the houses nearby), we include a selection of fine local wines and one from the Chianti Classico along with delicacies from the local area to make your experience at the Castle of Pianettole unforgettable. Within easy walking distance is our vineyard from which you can admire the breathtaking panorama of the surrounding countryside. Every window has a panoramic view over the Tuscan countryside. A five minute drive away is the stunning medieval walled fortress town of Anghiari. It sits on the top of a hill overlooking the valley of the River Tiber. Listed in the ten most beautiful hill towns of Italy, it has fascinating winding streets and wide choice of specialist shops and fantastic restaurants. Every turn of each corner provides another subject for a photograph. You can spend hours exploring the medieval passageways and ramparts of the town or just eating there - there are many fantastic restaurants within the village. From the centre an amazing long (7 km!) straight road (almost intact after 5 centuries) leads to Sansepolcro. The scenery from the top of this road in is breathtaking! At the bottom of this road lies Sansepolcro. Birthplace of the great artist Piero della Francesca, whose works such as The Resurrection can be seen in the town’s museum. With markets on Tuesday and Saturdays, it is wonderful place to buy local produce. Within the medieval town walls you will find cafes, restaurants and bars to suit all tastes. In addition, there are 4/5 large supermarkets and an amazing Olympic size swimming pool set in enormous pine woods. There are many events, festivals and concerts held throughout the year in the close vicinity. The South Bank Symphonia play in the main square every July. Not to miss is the wonderful antiques fairs that takes place in Arezzo on the first weekend of every month. September see the famous "Palio della Balestra" - the medieval crossbow competition held in nearby Sansepolcro. A weeklong festival of flag-throwing, medieval parades and open air banquets precede the palio (second Sunday of September). The Castle provides an ideal base for touring and visiting many of Italy notable destinations including Florence, Siena, Arezzo, Cortona, Perugia, Gubbio, Assisi, Caprese Michelangelo, La Verna. Rome can be reached within three hours by car or less if you take a fast train from Arezzo (1 hour, 10 minutes). The Adriatic coast and San Marino are also about an hour’s drive.The surrounding countryside has ancient woods dotted with monasteries and archaeological sites. A pick up service from the airport can be arranged at a cost to be agreed upon. The Castle of Pianettole will deliver everything it promises and more!

Location

Anghiari is a lovely medieval town lying between two rivers, the Tiber and the Arno. The powerful thirteenth century walls made the town an invincible fortress which constituted an important reference point and kept the Tuscan flag flying during the many historical events that occurred in this delicately balanced border area. On the 29th June 1440 the famous Battle of Anghiari, which was subsequently painted by Leonardo da Vinci in Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, reaffirmed Florentine rule in Tuscany. Anghiari and its surrounding area has seen the lives and work of the greatest men of the Renaissance who brought the seeds of the modern age from the land intra Tevere et Arno to the whole of Europe. The centuries that followed left their various marks on the churches and houses giving the town its own individual character strung along the steep ‘ruga’ (furrow or wrinkle) that cuts through its centre, making it unique and unmistakable.

Surrounded by castles and country churches Anghiari looks out over the beautiful High Tiber Valley landscape, a natural amphitheatre filled with the spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi. The countryside around Anghiari has an untouched atmosphere with ancient woods dotted with monasteries and archaeological sites. Artisan shops and the workrooms of furniture and antiques restorers enrich the small squares of the town; its towers and churches are embellished with masterpieces of painting and sculpture and there are breathtaking views and vistas to be found from every corner of the ancient town.

Anghiari is well worth visiting all year round thanks to its active cultural life. There are exhibitions, fairs, local festivals, a busy theatre program and an active interest in the conservation and re-enactment of historical and folklore traditions all contributing to the cultural life of the town. Visitors enjoy the enchanting atmosphere enhanced with fairs, markets and open-air shows and the excellent local cooking and warmth of the Anghiarese add their special taste to this superb landscape.