Castello del Monsignore

The Residence

In the Mugello hills, a Renaissance castle in a walled park, for one party only

In the hills of the Mugello, 27 kilometres from Florence, Castello del Monsignore stands on the estate where Giovanni della Casa, author of the Galateo, was born in 1503, and it is let to one party at a time. Its eight hectares of ancient park are enclosed by stone walls four metres high, and it sleeps 20 in ten suites and rooms, each with its own bathroom.

Dinner can be laid in the courtyard under the lanterns, or by candlelight between the great barrels of the old wine cellar.

Inside, Renaissance vaults and frescoes meet fine fabrics and pale Tuscan marble. There are a great hall with a stone fireplace, a dining room and a billiard room. The Monsignore's Suite, of 120 square metres, has a four-poster bed and a whirlpool bath; the Medici and Tornabuoni suites each have a sitting room with a fireplace and an antique bath in the bedroom, and the Da Vinci Suite a copper tub. On the top floor are the spa, with a sauna and a steam bath, and a Technogym gym.

The park holds a heated saltwater pool in stone, 16 by 8 metres, with fountains, a lemon house, an organic kitchen garden, a truffle ground, a consecrated chapel and a running path. A concierge, a butler and a night porter look after the house, breakfast is served every morning, and a private chef can cook with the produce of the garden. Truffle hunting, cooking classes, wine tastings and days in Florence can be arranged, and the Mugello circuit is ten minutes away by car.

Florence half an hour away, and the castle gates closed behind you.

Best months: Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct