Castel di Luco, nestled in the picturesque tranquillity of the woods all around and immersed in the simplicity of life deep in the countryside, welcomes its guests into this historical residence via a staircase carved into the rock, preparing them for the unforgettable emotion of crossing its threshold.

Its owners, Laura and Francesco, have painstakingly and lovingly created four superb suites in the hamlet located beneath the Castle and look forward to welcoming you with open arms, offering you a taste of the authentic flavours of the local cuisine and transmitting all the joy and intense emotions and enthusiasm of those who live in a truly unique place and who have dedicated and continue to dedicate their efforts to its restoration and enjoyment.

THE HISTORY AND TRADITIONS OF CASTEL DI LUCO IN THE HEART OF THE MARCHE REGION

A papal bull issued by Pope Leo IX in 1052 attests to the existence of this rare and distinctive castle in the Piceno region, which has preserved its medieval structure almost entirely intact. There are various hypotheses about its origins, the most credible perhaps being the one proposed by Colucci, a historian from the 18th century, who believed that Luco was once an ancient sacred forest in which horrific pagan rituals were celebrated. A certain amount of information regarding the existence of a castle has also been gleaned from Pope Leo IX’s papal bull, which is preserved in the archives of the Cathedral of Ascoli.

Having survived the invasion of the militias of Charles of Anjou and Galeotto Malatesta’s troops, Castel di Luco was the protagonist of a series of remarkable historical events. It was from here that Pietro di Vanne Ciucci, Lord of Luco, led a group of mountain people to liberate Ascoli from Rinaldo, the brother of Francesco Sforza. It was in this very castle that a famous bandit from Ascoli, named Parisani, had Chiarino Montaroni, who had been entrusted with the defence of the castle at the time, murdered.

Over the following centuries, the Castle was transformed from a fortress into a noble residence, continuing to be the home of the Ciucci family, who owned it until the 1800s. Today, Castel di Luco still retains its original structure, and it is possible to savour refined local dishes, by reservation, in the frescoed rooms which are now used as a restaurant, and to relive the history of an entire millennium by visiting the Castle.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES: ACCOMMODATION, DINING, PRIVATE EVENTS AND WEDDINGS AT CASTEL DI LUCO

Restaurant: Advance reservation is essential. Open on weekdays for dinner and during festive periods for lunch.

Closed on Mondays.