Grotti Castle
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The Castle of Grotti can be reached via the highway SS223/E78 Siena-Grosseto. The best exit is not the one marked for Grotti, which is actually a small dirt country road winding through thick woods, but the exit for Casciano di Murlo. Turning left at the T-junction, just before reaching the village, there are several visible signs to the castle.
The
Castle of Grotti is located in the hills south of Siena, in a very panoramic
position overlooking the Crete and the Val d’Orcia. The castle stands
on the site of an ancient Etruscan settlement. It is first found mentioned
in a document from 1221 as the birthplace of Orlandino di Azzo, a rich businessman
of the 13th century. Later property of the noble Urgurgeri family, it was
then conquered and destroyed by the Austro-Hispanic army during the last
war against Siena and Montalcino, along with the other properties on the
castle grounds and the near Strine Tower.
The
castle has an imposing U-shaped body, halfway between a stronghold and
a tower. In the 19th century, it was used as a country residence by the
Marquis Nerli before being bought by the Piccolomini family sometime in
the last century. It now houses a foundation named after the painter Sergio
Vacchi, which organizes exhibitions, concerts, plays and other relevant
cultural events.
The Castle is surrounded by a large garden, partly landscaped
as a formal Italian garden and partly landscaped as an English country
garden, a unique example in the whole region of Siena. The Castle is also
located at the centre of a renowned agricultural estate that produces
world-famous extra-virgin olive oil. The 16th century stables, with columns
and vaulted ceiling, and the lemon-house are nowadays used as banquet
halls for weddings and other events. The 19th century Villa Ballati, a
building of great historical value, has been restored respecting all the
original features of the property and is now a large vacation rental overlooking
the garden of the castle.
[official website: www.castellodigrotti.it]
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