Sammezzano Castle

Sammezzano Castle is located in Leccio, about 30 kilometers from the center of Florence. The entire castle is a triumph of colors and oriental architecture, brought to the highest level and enhanced by the beauty of the surrounding woods.

An enchanting place that fascinates everyone who approaches it and leaves a vivid and indelible memory. Do not be deceived by the exterior, which does not fully reveal the beauty of the interior. In fact, the castle expresses all its character through the glimpses of its interiors, which enchant with so much splendor. Sometimes the most unexpected places turn out to be the most significant.

Some historical notes

Sammezzano Castle, also known as "Villa di Sammezzano", was built on a not-too-high hill, completely surrounded by more than 180 hectares of land. During the Medici period - when the Medici family controlled Tuscany - the villa was used as a hunting lodge. The elevated and strategic position allowed the hunters to relax between one hunt and another, finding a safe place to refresh and rest before a new adventure...

At first, the structure looked like an elegant Tuscan summer estate, with high, imposing walls. Towards the first half of the nineteenth century, however, the castle changed completely. The Marquis Ferdinando Panciatichi Ximenes d'Aragnona inaugurated a series of works that lasted more than forty years, transforming the villa into a tribute to oriental culture and architecture.

Ferdinand personally directed the works, bringing with him his passion for oriental art. In fact, several references to oriental architectural works were incorporated into the castle, such as the very famous Indian Taj Mahal.

The visit to the Castle

Today it is possible to visit some of the original interiors of the castle, all enclosed in what is called the "monumental area". Visitors pass through a series of rooms, densely decorated with important plays of light and special combinations of colors.

Each room is characterized by the presence of decorative inscriptions that tell the story of Ferdinand of Aragon and his descendants. Outside the Sammezzano Castle, it is possible to visit the historical forest created by Ferdinand himself.

In the beginning, the forest was home to more than 100 different species of trees, today the presence of species is slightly lower. The very tall sequoias remain, among which the "Sequoia Gemella" stands out, a monumental tree of 54 meters. In all its height and majesty, this sequoia is the second tallest tree in Italy.

A visit to the Castle of Sammezzano requires at least two hours, so that you can observe in detail the interiors of each room and appreciate the natural delicacy of the historic garden of Ferdinand of Aragon.