THE CASTLE

The origins of Castello Vicchiomaggio, once named Vicchio of the Lombards, dates back roughly to 1400 as reported on some ancient preserved parchments.
Its location on top of a hill overlooking the Val di Greve just 18 km from Florence and 38 from Siena has proved to be a very strategic position over the centuries.
Castello Vicchiomaggio is built of solid stone, at the heart of which is the high embattled tower dating back to 1100. The castle is preserved by its defensive boundary walls.
Thanks to careful and meticulous restoration, it is well-­‐preserved and has been recognised as a national monument.
In the middle Ages, Castello Vicchiomaggio demonstrated the crucial importance of its position by playing a vital role in the defence of Florence during conflicts with Siena.

Later it became an exclusive Renaissance Manor House and reached its maximum splendour. It was during this period that it was proposed to add the word ‘Maggio’ to the original name "Vicchio" in the memory of Maggiolate of Calendimaggio.
In its long and glorious history, many celebrities stayed at the Castle, including Leonardo da Vinci and Francesco Redi.
Leonardo da Vinci stayed at Castello Vicchiomaggio during the period in which he painted his masterpiece, the Monna Lisa. He drew a charming and impressive picture which can be found in his personal documents proving that he stayed here; Francesco Redi, an academician, composed his famous poem "Bacchus in Tuscany" here in 1865.