Brolio Castle in the Chianti area of Tuscany is one of the most picturesque castles of the region as well as home to the vineyards from which the Ricasoli family has been distilling their famous wine since the middle ages. Its history, beauty and amenities are unparalleled. Why not find a villa with a pool in Chianti and spend a day exploring it for yourself?
The building has Lombard origins but nothing of the original structure exists today. Due to its strategic location, it was used as a military outpost by Florence, to whom they were affiliated despite the proximity of Siena.
The building has Lombard origins but nothing of the original structure exists today. Due to its strategic location, it was used as a military outpost by Florence, to whom they were affiliated despite the proximity of Siena.
As a result of this relationship, the castle was targeted over the years and besieged and destroyed on multiple occasions. On each of these occasions, the castle was rebuilt in the contemporaneous style and not as it appeared before it was destroyed. The appearance that one sees today is Gothic Revival in design and was built as a veneer over the earlier keep and chapel. This dates to reconstruction in the nineteenth century by one of its most famous inhabitants, Baron Bettino Ricasoli, a politician who is also known as “The Iron Baron”.
The castle passed into the hands of the Ricasoli family due to an exchange of lands in 1141 and they remain in possession of it today. In fact, the current Ricasoli baron and his family live in the castle even now! Despite this, you are still welcome to come and visit the castle, its grounds and vineyards. Guests are free to wander the gardens as they please but if you wish to venture inside, it must be as part of a tour, due to the fact that the castle remains a home. Tours bring you into the Chapel of San Jacopo, the family crypt and the museum which houses the Ricasoli collection. The castle is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.30 to 12.30 and then reopens from 14.00 until 17.30.
The castle passed into the hands of the Ricasoli family due to an exchange of lands in 1141 and they remain in possession of it today. In fact, the current Ricasoli baron and his family live in the castle even now! Despite this, you are still welcome to come and visit the castle, its grounds and vineyards. Guests are free to wander the gardens as they please but if you wish to venture inside, it must be as part of a tour, due to the fact that the castle remains a home. Tours bring you into the Chapel of San Jacopo, the family crypt and the museum which houses the Ricasoli collection. The castle is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday from 10.30 to 12.30 and then reopens from 14.00 until 17.30.
Entry to the garden is free and it costs just eight euro to take the tour of the grounds and museum.
Bear in mind that tickets will also grant you a complimentary glass of the wine that the castle is so famous for and which is made on site. The castle sits within their vineyards and the cellars below are used to age them to perfection.
After you've learned a little more about the castle and had your glass of wine, make sure you walk along the ramparts and soak in the wonderful view across the Chianti area.
Bear in mind that tickets will also grant you a complimentary glass of the wine that the castle is so famous for and which is made on site. The castle sits within their vineyards and the cellars below are used to age them to perfection.
After you've learned a little more about the castle and had your glass of wine, make sure you walk along the ramparts and soak in the wonderful view across the Chianti area.
Photo credits
picture 2: Massimop / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: H. Hoffmeister / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 2: Massimop / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: H. Hoffmeister / CC BY-SA 3.0
