The Castle of Oliveto (literally, the olive-grove castle) was built in 1424 by Filippo Brunelleschi for the wealthy Florentine Pucci family. The extraordinary 35,000 sqm castle, located near Florence, in Castelfiorentino, is currently up for sale on the Lionard Luxury Real Estate website.
One of the most beautiful Tuscan manors, Castle of Oliveto in the last six hundred years has been occupied by many illustrious guests, including popes and kings. Indeed, the main reception hall, which can sit up to 180 guests, still presents an epigraph commemorating the visit of Pope Paul III Farnese in 1541. Some of the many outstanding architectural details are largely due to the genius of the famous architect: it is completely built with bricks (while at the time the standard material was stone), it has crenelated walls, walkway surrounds the whole perimeter of the tall walls, a clock tower, an internal courtyard with etched plaster-work, a loggia with four arches and an ancient water well for collecting rainwater, which once was a secret underground passage leading outside. There is also a private chapel.
Positioned on top of a hill surrounded by the picturesque Tuscan countryside and well protected by moats, tall walls, and turrets, this prestigious residence is rich in history and charm, but it is also a modern and efficient working castle estate and a farm holiday resort that produces extra virgin olive oil and prime wines, aged in its ancient wine cellars.
As part of the complex for sale, there are also 1,200 hectares of grounds – including 25 hectares of vineyards and 14 hectares of olive groves -, a hamlet with an 18th-century villa and no less than 25 farmhouses.
Ilona Catani Scarlett