Description
The Castelletto and the village of Montebenichi
The Castelletto di Montebenichi dates back to the 12th century. It was originally the central nucleus of the fortress, which over the centuries has been transformed into a village after losing its defensive function. The structure owes its current form to the restoration begun in 1901 by the Macchiaiolo painter Salvadore Malesci; a subsequent restoration and use as a luxury accommodation facility were carried out in 1997 by the current owner.
Montebenichi is a tiny village, located on a hill in the Chianti region at an altitude of 525 m. asl, halfway between Siena and Arezzo.
Architecture and landscape
Perfect example of Neo-Gothic or Neo-Medieval architecture, an artistic current that was born in Europe in the eighteenth century, which developed in European countries in the nineteenth century and in the first decades of the twentieth century . The interior has been renovated and furnished with works of art in the last restoration, following this spirit perfectly. The landscape is classic Chianti, rich in woods, olive groves, vineyards and prestigious villas.
Description of the property
The Castelletto overlooks the small square in the center of Montebenichi, which was the parade ground of the ancient fortress.
At the entrance, an atrium with the office on the left and the entrance to a rear room. To the right you enter a living room which leads to the dining room and the kitchen. From the kitchen you can also reach the large rear room where many services are located (pantry, laundry, ironing room, cupboards for linen and crockery, etc.). From here a staircase leads to the cellar. This room has a door that opens onto the rear façade.
The kitchen opens onto a courtyard which allows you to reach a garage and a warehouse with exit to the small square.
From the entrance hall, a staircase leads to the first floor to an atrium which it opens onto a large loggia with a view of the square, the Chianti hills and a small garden. In the atrium there are doors to the red room, the old library, the green room and the new library: rooms that house the owner's collections (paintings, drawings, furniture, majolica, sculptures). Two staircases lead to six bedrooms (five on the second floor and one on the first floor) all with bathrooms. From the second floor a wooden staircase reaches the terrace with a 360° view of the Chianti, Siena, Crete, Val d'Orcia up to.
In the Castelletto there are also three small apartments (each of about 45 sq m) with independent entrances. Another apartment is located in the small square.
With a few steps you reach a large garden with a splendid view of the Valdambra, where there is a swimming pool; rooms annexed to this, a gymnasium and a car park. On the slope of the hill there is an olive grove with about 160 olive trees. The extension of the land is approximately 2 hectares.
Cadastral plans on request.
Infrastructure and services
Village: Bucine, about 12 km
City: Arezzo:37 km, Siena 38 km, Florence 67 km,
Hospital more near: Montevarchi (SI) 25km, San Donato (SI) 35km--f26236965899dfd8b2c67d55143cfecd!
