High on a gentle hillock overlooking the peaceful Val d' Orcia and the distant 5,700 ft. summit of Tuscany's highest mountain peak, Mt. Amiata, is the breathtaking site of the newly reconstructed luxury boutique hotel, Castello di Velona.
An 11th century fortress and once the villa of famous Sienese families, the Castello di Velona is today an exclusive relais where history beautifully blends with art, viniculture and gastronomy.
A luxury Castle in the heart of Tuscan Renaissance: an open window on the landscape of history. Medieval Fortalice of the XI century, the most ancient visible part today is the watch-out tower of the XII century that was theatre of fights between the Republic of Siena and the one of Florence . The principal loggia is of the Renaissance, epoch in which the castle was turned into a residential villa. In the same period the "Velona" was depicted in the geographic papers painted by Ignazio Danti at the Vatican . A copy of them does exist into the library of the castle. Instead of taste-medieval mole is the back side built in slow epoch. A court opened to the routes of the art.
The road that follows the cost of the castle at valley, it is marked on ancient geographic papers with the Via Clodia name, the old Roman road of the first century A.C., in which the southern Etruria was joining Rome. In the vicinity strokes there are visible hips of the Via Francigena, route covered by writers, artists, famous brigands and pilgrims who, in the Middle Ages, were going to Rome for the jubilee. In the adjacent zones of the castle important Etruscan finds were found, today preserved in the Montalcino museum.
Indulged by now in ruin in 1997 the castle was bought from a private family and they commissioned the reorganization turning the castle into a luxury Relais, preserving his original structure and keeping the characteristics of an ancient House of the Countryside alive. Today the castle represents a magic place, a remarkable boutique Hotel managed by Exclusive Hotels of Italy.
The hotel consists of 22 suites, and 2 double-rooms all equipped with all modern comforts. Each of the 24 accommodations is slightly different from the other and decorated in a different colour (blue, green and dark red are the typical colours of the Castle). All rooms have fireplaces, antiques furniture and broad views of the Tuscan countryside. All suites are equipped with centralized air-conditioning (adjustable from the room), 2 phones, satellite TV, full stocked mini-bar and safes for valuables. Embroidered linen, feather and latex pillows and down duvet for all seasons ensure a complete comfort to our guests.
Lovers of fine food and wines will be delighted to taste the typical regional Italian cuisine, served in summertime under the olive and cypress trees, and in winter in the castle's restaurant Le Colonne, before the massive roaring log fireplace.
Elegant and aristocratic, the Castello di Velona is the perfect venue for prestigious events with the Tuscan countryside as a backdrop. The meeting room seats up to 25 persons, while the beautiful library and the Salone dei Paesaggi can hold up to 10 participants. The whole castle can be privatised to make events even more memorable and exclusive while its service and modern technology including Wi-Fi complete the offer.
The large internal courtyard, the ample terrace with views over Val d'Orcia and the magnificent pool offer ideal solutions for meetings, seminars, ceremonies and gala events.
Set in the magic scenery of the hills of Siena , the Castello di Velona offers the perfect setting for a special occasion and for memorable events.
For a fairy-tale wedding our team is on call to help arrange all details of your celebration, including organising the catering, floral arrangements and entertainment during and after the meal.
The Castle is also an idyllic setting for a honeymoon, or to celebrate anniversaries with the splendid backdrop of the beautiful Tuscan countryside. The panoramic terrace overlooking the peaceful Val d' Orcia, the gardens and the spacious courtyard, combined with the possibility of the exclusive use of the property, offer a stately context for unforgettable moments.
A stay at the Castello di Velona is a perfect time to relax and practice your favorite sports & activities. Take a refreshing swim in the panoramic outdoor pool with hydromassage, stroll along the walkways beside the gentle River Orcia, bicycle over the shaded country roads, travel cross-country on horseback or just relax reading a book in the peaceful terrace and enjoy the unmatched views of the Val d'Orcia.