About two kilometers from Gaiole in Chianti stands the ancient Castello di Meleto, built in the 11th century by Benedictine monks from the nearby Badia di Coltibuono
About two kilometers from Gaiole in Chianti stands the ancient Castello di Meleto, built in the 11th century by Benedictine monks from the nearby Badia di Coltibuono. Later it became the property of a feudal lord known as Guardellotto who, following conflicts with the emperor Frederick I Barbarossa saw himself stripped of all his possessions including the fort. Towards the middle of the thirteenth century, a time when the ancient cassero built in the center of the castle dates back to, the property passes into the hands of a branch of the Ricasoli-Firidolfi, which will be called "da Meleto" or "Meletesi".
Strategically positioned on the underlying road between Valdarno and Chianti over the centuries the castle was the protagonist of numerous wars without suffering serious damage. In 1478 the Aragonese army, an ally of Siena, took possession of the manor but only two years later it was expelled by the Florentine armies that carried out substantial work to strengthen the defensive structures, still visible today. After the war periods during the 1700s the structure was transformed into a villa and therefore its defenses dismantled: the interiors still have the appearance dating back to this period, with frescoed and decorated rooms and a picturesque theater from 1742 equipped with its original scenery.
Today the village of Castello di Meleto offers itself as an exclusive location where to spend a peaceful and relaxing stay, being able to choose to stay in the farmhouses, renovated in 1998, for privacy-filled holidays, or in the B&B rooms arranged between the Castle and the Casa Canonica. Guests have access to two infinity pools, the first in the garden of the castle and the second, with salt water, next to the villa casanova, both equipped with umbrellas and deck chairs for moments of absolute tranquility.
A few hundred meters away is the restaurant "La Fornace di Meleto", where the protagonists are the dishes of the rich Tuscan gastronomic tradition such as the Pici, the Fiorentina and the delicious Tiramisù.
The history of the Castle is also marked by weddings that took place over the years among the representatives of the noble families and today as yesterday it lends itself to become the setting for ceremonies and events with a unique charm. Guests can enjoy the frescoed rooms of the Piano Nobile, the garden and the panoramic terrace overlooking the gentle Chianti hills and the Scuderia where to celebrate with music and dancing. A small private chapel capable of holding about 20 people lends itself to religious weddings with an intimate atmosphere, while for a greater number of guests it is possible to choose the Pieve di Santa Maria in Spaltenna, just 2 km from the Castle.
Among the approximately one thousand hectares of land that extend around the village, about 125 are cultivated with vines, mainly finding the Chianti Classico DOCG but also Cabernet, Merlot and Vermentino. You cannot miss taking part in one of the guided tours of the Castello di Meleto, including the ancient underground cellar, ending with a tasting of the wines produced on the estate.
https://www.histouring.com/
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La cantina del castello