CASTELLO PANDOLFINI

Set in the relaxing Tuscan countryside and beautifully positioned in Tizzano in the Chianti Classico area, just 12 km from Florence, Castello Pandolfini is a historical residence consisting of a large complex including a villa, a tower, a romantic park, a French-style garden, an outdoor swimming pool surrounded by olive trees with a sunbathing area, a barbecue and a breath-taking panoramic terrace overlooking the gentle rolling hills of Chianti. Due to its privileged location in the midst of olive groves and vineyards, Castello Pandolfini is the ideal place for a thoroughly relaxing holiday, immersed in the greenery, peace and tranquillity of the beautiful Tuscan hills.

Guests have access to private parking, free Wi-Fi and bicycles to explore the charming villages in the vicinity, such as Greve in Chianti, Impruneta and Panzano. The Castle also organises exclusive experiences for its guests, including cooking classes with lunch and dinner in the Villa's garden, guided tours in world-famous Tuscan cities of art such as Florence, Siena, Pisa and Lucca, cycling excursions among the vineyards and hills of Chianti, tastings of oil, wine and cheese with visits to local wineries, dairies and olive oil mills, horseback riding, painting lessons in the park, yoga lessons by the pool, private classical music concerts (harp and string quartet) and themed dinners and private events upon request. A transfer service to and from the airport and railway stations is also provided.

Thanks to the beauty of its many historical features, this historical residence is also the ideal place to celebrate private events and weddings, guaranteed to create truly unforgettable moments.

THE HISTORY OF CASTELLO PANDOLFINI

Over the centuries, the estate belonged to a number of illustrious Florentine families, including the Scolari, the family of the famous ‘condottiere’ mercenary Pippo Spano, and the Pitti family, before passing to the Medici family. In the mid-1500s, the existing main building of Tizzano was rebuilt and expanded on the ruins of the ancient castle. In 1585, it was gifted by Grand Duke Francesco de' Medici to renowned sculptor Giambologna, and upon his death, it passed to his favourite pupil, Pietro Tacca. The external structure of the property remained unchanged until 1793. During the Napoleonic era, the Castle was acquired by Prince Talleyrand, and in the second half of the 19th century, it became the property of Count Roberto Pandolfini and his wife, Beatrice dei Principi Corsini.

Since that time, the Castle has been owned by the Pandolfini counts, who, over the years, restored the Villa and garden in the romantic style, creating a wonderful historical residence. Roberto and Beatrice used it as their summer residence and lived there for about six months of the year, spending the other six months in Florence, in the famous Palazzo Pandolfini designed by Raphael Sanzio. In the 1930s, on the occasion of their son Count Filippo's marriage to Margherita Trigona dei Marchesi di Canicarao, extensive interior renovations were carried out with the collaboration of their friend and renowned architect Bosio. During the same period, English architect and landscape designer Cecil Pincent (known for his work on the gardens of Villa i Tatti, Villa Gamberaia in Settignano and Villa La Foce in Val d'Orcia) transformed the 19th-century romantic park into a rational garden, inspired by the fashionable trends of the time.

Until the 1990s, the Castle was used both as the family's private residence and as the centre of the agricultural company of the same name, well known for its excellent Chianti Classico production. In 1999, Elisabetta Pandolfini inherited the property from her father and embarked on a lengthy process of conservation and restoration work to restore the Castle to its former glory.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES: ACCOMMODATION, WEDDINGS AND PRIVATE EVENTS IN THE CHIANTI REGION

The staff members at Castello Pandolfini are entirely at the guests' disposal to provide information, assistance and organisation of guided tours in Florence and Chianti. In addition to their accommodation, guests staying at the Castle are welcome to enhance their time in Tuscany by participating in a host of bespoke experiences. These are just some of our most popular proposals:

• Cooking lessons with lunch in the garden of the Castle or in one of the stately reception rooms
• Olive oil and wine tastings with visits to the cellars and oil mills on one of the estates in Chianti
• Horseback rides and excursions
• Mountain biking routes through the Chianti hills
• Painting lessons in the garden
• Yoga at sunset yoga by the pool
• For art lovers, we offer guided tours of Florence (city tours on foot or by bicycle, visits to all major museums).

Upon request, it is also possible to organise intensive cooking courses, painting classes (watercolour, oil and acrylic techniques), private harp and string quartet concerts, medieval and Renaissance dinners, themed evenings, parties and private events.