Vincigliata Castle, located in Fiesole, Tuscany has a long and intriguing history as well as the most picturesque setting and appearance that you could imagine. Find a tuscan luxury villa nearby and you could see this storybook castle for yourself!
The first mention of the castle comes from 1031, when it was property of the Vinsdomini family. After this the castle passed from owner to owner as it was bought, sold, inherited and gambled away. As a result of its mistreatment, the lovely medieval building was almost destroyed and fell into ruin. However, even as a ruin it captured the attention and hearts of many a passer-by.
The first mention of the castle comes from 1031, when it was property of the Vinsdomini family. After this the castle passed from owner to owner as it was bought, sold, inherited and gambled away. As a result of its mistreatment, the lovely medieval building was almost destroyed and fell into ruin. However, even as a ruin it captured the attention and hearts of many a passer-by.
The ruins became a source of inspiration to several Romantic era writers and artists, as evidenced by sketch of the castle by Emilio Burci, dated to 1836. In 1840, they caught the attention of a young English Lord named John Temple Leader who stumbled across the castle, instantly fell in love and decided to buy it. The most famous artisans, sculptors, masons, glaziers and painters of Florence were then employed to restore the building and return it to its former glory. This decidedly large task was taken on with the aid of a young architect named Giuseppe Fancelli, and he and Lord John worked together to recreate its past. He also bought the surrounding land and additionally restored the villas attached to the estate.
A new garden was created in the romantic style of his homeland, planting cypresses in areas that couldn't support anything lusher alongside the pines, shrubs and bushes of central Italian woodlands, and called it the Bosco di Vincigliata (Forest of Vincigliata).
Word soon travelled far and wide about the wonderful job that Lord John had done on the place and it quickly attracted many visitors, often of a very high calibre, including the likes of Queen Victoria in 1893. Without any heirs to succeed him, however, the castle was left in the hands of his great nephew who sold off the properties, grounds and collections that Lord John had spent an entire lifetime creating.
The misfortune of the castle continued into the 20th century when it was requisitioned by the Italian government during WWII and made a prisoner-of-war camp for distinguished military prisoners. It was a smaller than other such camps and housed at most around twenty-five prisoners at any one time. Ironically enough, it became occupied primarily by high-ranking British officers of similar backgrounds to Lord John.
Today, things are just a little less eventful at Vincigliata Castle – but only a little! It is currently a venue for events and, particularly, for weddings. Its romantic grounds and fairytale appearance continue to capture hearts as they have since it was built and now it can be home to your very own happy ending. That's the magic of Tuscany for you!
Word soon travelled far and wide about the wonderful job that Lord John had done on the place and it quickly attracted many visitors, often of a very high calibre, including the likes of Queen Victoria in 1893. Without any heirs to succeed him, however, the castle was left in the hands of his great nephew who sold off the properties, grounds and collections that Lord John had spent an entire lifetime creating.
The misfortune of the castle continued into the 20th century when it was requisitioned by the Italian government during WWII and made a prisoner-of-war camp for distinguished military prisoners. It was a smaller than other such camps and housed at most around twenty-five prisoners at any one time. Ironically enough, it became occupied primarily by high-ranking British officers of similar backgrounds to Lord John.
Today, things are just a little less eventful at Vincigliata Castle – but only a little! It is currently a venue for events and, particularly, for weddings. Its romantic grounds and fairytale appearance continue to capture hearts as they have since it was built and now it can be home to your very own happy ending. That's the magic of Tuscany for you!
Photo credits
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 2: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 3: Sailko / CC BY-SA 3.0
