Have you always dreamed of sleeping in a medieval castle? Find out which are the ten best locations in Italy to experience a fairytale night.
Sleeping in a medieval castle: the 10 best locations
Italy, with its breathtaking landscapes, its villages nestled in the rolling hills and its thousand-year history, offers tourists a wide range of cultural, food and wine and artistic experiences, as well as the possibility of sleeping in a medieval castle.
In fact, there are numerous villages and small towns that still preserve the vestiges of an ancient past in the form of forts, castles and towers that dominate the surrounding landscape and that have been renovated and transformed in recent times into luxury hotels or resorts. From North to South, here are some of the best locations for sleeping in a castle in Italy.
Sleeping in a medieval castle in northern Italy
One of the most beautiful castles in northern Italy is Castello Bevilacqua in Montagnana, a small Veneto village at the crossroads of the region's most important cities. In addition to experiencing the thrill of sleeping in a medieval castle dating back to the 14th century, a stay in this village will give you the opportunity to easily visit the most famous places in the Veneto region.
Charming and romantic, as well as rich in history and works of art, is also the Visconteo Castle in Cassano d'Adda, an imposing fortress mirrored in the river, renovated with a modern and elegant taste that blends perfectly with the ancient architecture.
The Castle of Sinio in Piedmont, on the other hand, stands on the top of the hill overlooking the village below and is an ideal location for those who want to experience sleeping in a medieval castle and living in a fairy tale, dining in the refined candlelit hall of arms or resting in a comfortable four-poster bed.
Capriva del Friuli is home to Spessa Castle, a place where nature and history come together in perfect harmony. Here, elegance and luxury provide guests with romantic emotions.
Rubein Castle is nestled in the enchanting forest surrounding the city of Merano in Trentino: an oasis of peace and tranquillity and the perfect starting point from which to visit South Tyrol and its natural beauty. It is the perfect location to stay in a 12th century castle.
Staying in a castle in southern Italy
Moving from the cold mountains of Trentino to sunny Sicily, the best choice for accommodation in a castle is Castello di Falconara in Butera, a historic residence dating back to the 14th century with exclusive access to the sea and a large park enveloped in the scents and colours of the Mediterranean.
Romantic and fairytale-like at any time of year, but especially at Christmas time, is the Limatola Castle in Campania. It is a fortress perched on the hill overlooking the village, with enchanting outdoor spaces among stone staircases, centuries-old trees and cosy, romantic interior spaces furnished in Renaissance style.
Where to stay in a castle in Central Italy
Staying in a mediaeval castle and immersing oneself in an atmosphere of times gone by is a sought-after experience especially for young couples, who can find in the Orsini Castle in Nerola (Lazio) an enchanted place full of history and charm. The castle, surrounded by a moat and a mighty stone wall, retains all the nobility and refinement of the family from which it takes its name, even in its furnishings and luxury services.
In Abruzzo, on the other hand, is Castello Chiola, a manor house dating back to medieval times with suites furnished in a modern, refined style.
Banfi Castle in Tuscany
The Tuscany, dotted with enchanting villages perched on hillsides, is the Italian region that most offers the possibility of sleeping in a medieval castle. In fact, each village has its own fortress, watchtower or castle, which are restored and refurbished to welcome visitors seeking a fairytale holiday within its stone walls.
In Montalcino, amidst the hills and vineyards of the Val d'Orcia stands Castello Banfi, a historic fortress built between the 10th and 13th centuries that dominates the entire landscape and offers those lucky enough to look out from its battlements a breathtaking view of the entire Banfi estate.
Castello Banfi is a complex dedicated to wellness and relaxation, created to enhance an area rich in history and food and wine traditions, and to offer tourists the opportunity to stay in a castle while enjoying all the comforts of a luxury facility.
The rooms and suites are large and spacious, with an enchanting view of the vineyards and the surrounding Tuscan countryside, and boast furnishings designed by renowned interior architect Federico Forquet, who has breathed new life into the castle's ancient rooms and the village dwellings with innovative and original design. A perfect harmony of luxury and tradition, exclusive handmade accessories and typical Tuscan style.
Staying in a castle such as Castello Banfi will allow you to breathe in an enchanted atmosphere of times gone by, strolling in the shade of the romantic Pergola, where the scent of the rose bushes sweetens the evening air, or relaxing in the Reading Room, where refinement and comfort will give you pleasant moments of relaxation.
