Castello di Tornano Hotel-Castle in Gaiole, Chianti Region: the delightful lack of modernity and the irregularity of the building itself and its interiors

Passing the gallery

Text: Danila Gulyaev

Magazine: N10 (99) 2005

Each region of Italy is famous for something, and as a rule, something tasty or beautiful. For example, the Chianti region is famous for its eponymous wine. Actually, it is here and go to the so-called wine tours. But no less wine Chianti castles, built on the picturesque hills, are famous. One of these castles is Hotel Castello di Tornano in Gaiole. Strictly speaking, Castello di Tornano is not just a castle, it is a small fiefdom, built in the 11th century and located on the top of a hill immersed in green forests and vineyards. The nature here is such that it captures the spirit, and the hotel fits in with all this beauty in the most organic way. Folded stone buildings themselves have become part of nature, which, however, does not prevent them from being modernly comfortable. Particularly pleased with the view of the Castello di Tornano delightful lack of purpose and irregularity of the building itself and its interiors. In the XI century they were built and lived differently. Rounded arches, indirect corners, uneven wooden beams - for a resident of a modern metropolis there is no better way to take a break from dehumanizing the environment and the straightness of space. In this case, the interiors of the castle least of all resemble a museum. Here you feel more like in the village of a grandmother, be she a Tuscan aristocrat, while leading a bohemian lifestyle. If we consider that Chianti is the capital of agritourism and people come here to try wine, what other way of life can we lead here? The interiors of Castello di Tornano also profess bohemian chic as a lifestyle. Here reigns emotional ecstatic eclecticism. Medieval masonry of the walls with collapsed plaster is ironically combined with baroque armchairs and sofas in the style of the 60s. Venetian mirror with a patina of centuries does not contradict the modern designer washbasin. The atmosphere of the hotel could be called quaint if it were not so natural. And behind the charming negligence of the entourage hides in fact a businesslike care for almost thousands of years of construction. It is no coincidence that the buildings of Castello di Tornano are under the protection of the Italian Ministry of Culture as a monument to architecture. In Castello di Tornano there are three types of apartments. The most prestigious are located in the tower of the castle, and to live in them is a separate pleasure. The tower, though low, but stands on top of a hill, and views from the medieval windows offer miraculous. No less beautiful, however, and the rooms in the castle: here the Middle Ages appears alive and very close. A special hotel offer is to rent one of the farms located around the castle and surrounded by vineyards. These idyllic houses are designed for a whole family or a friendly company. You can participate in the wine-making works - this is an interesting part of the cultural program. Horse riding along the vineyards is also recommended. It is not customary to leave Castello di Tornano empty-handed: local households produce the same name wine, grappa and even olive oil, and a couple of bottles should be taken home.Отель Castle of Tornano Flight: to Florence, cost - $ 250, then by train and car.Weather: in November - about + 14 ° С, in December and January - about + 10 ° С, there are no strong winds and rains.Accommodation: numbers - from ?? 200 to ?? 400, houses - from ?? 550 to ?? 1300.Entertainment: wine tasting, horseback riding, entertaining winemaking. Back