This one of a kind estate sits proudly on a hilltop overlooking its Tuscan landscape & the undulating fields below cultivated with grain, vineyards, olive trees and the wooded hills that encompass the estate for acres. Buonconvento, a characteristic walled medieval town, with cafés, shops and restaurants lies just 10 minutes away. Montalcino and Montepulciano, arguably the most renowned wine region in the world and home of the infamous Brunello wine producers, are a quick 15 min. drive.  Siena and Pienza are within half an hour. Castello del Cardinale lies precisely between Siena and the Orcia Valley, a UNESCO recognized historical landmark site and one of the most picturesque areas in all of Italy. A well-maintained gravel road lined with cypresses trees leads to the main entrance. Typical is the open space in front of the main entrance of the castle, with a circular road that once allowed the passage of the horse carriages all the way up to the castle.  Today is serves as the main driveway. The Castello del Cardinale consists of a 16th century Villa and a sturdy tower.  It is surrounded by a park of oak and holm oak trees. From the atrium of the castle the scenery is beautiful: a view of the surrounding hills which belongs to the estate. Outdoor lounge area with sofas, coffee table and wrought iron chairs where you can enjoy breakfast in the early hours while admiring the surrounding landscape. From here, you reach a spacious dining room inside the tower, where the soldiers once lived during the siege of Siena, furnished with solid wood planks, that once combined, create a long table, with two other tables at the sides. All bathrooms have been designed in such a way as to avoid altering their former characteristics, integrating them with modern accessories; all the bedrooms have air conditioning.

Ground Floor

A classical trapezoidal ladder with 9 steps lies to one side of the main entrance, while the other leads to the terrace of the reception hall. The reception room is furnished with three solid wood balconies and antique furniture: the original throne of one of the Cardinals from where he received his guests during official visits, Spanish leather chairs from the 1500th century, and a wooden table – all original pieces. On the right there is an entrance area with armchairs and a fireplace followed by a small living room, also with a fireplace balcony, furnished with two comfortable sofas and an elegant angled purple coffee table and low cushioned seating. From the prestigious welcome hall, there is access to the stairs leading to the first floor on one side and access to the dining area with a fireplace and to the kitchen on the other.  The dining area has a table that can accommodate up to 18 guests.  The kitchen, which can also be linked to inside the atrium of the castle from a balcony, enjoys a large rustic wooden table seating 10 people. The kitchen, which has maintained its original appearance, is equipped with modern and functional elements including a wood oven, a 5 range stovetop, a microwave, dishwasher, TV, and other accessories.

First Floor

Up a flight of 26 steps, the first floor functions as the main living area of the Castle and enjoys a table, large sofas placed at the corner of the padded bottom coffee table, a marble fireplace, and a showpiece armoire with dishes and Chinese ceramics. The first bedrooms is a double room with a king-sized bed and wood headboard, a mirrored wardrobe, a chest with 5drawers, a small desk, and air conditioning.  There is a spacious fully renovate African design en-suite bathroom with a freestanding bathtub, a shower cubicle and a window.  In front of this room on the other side of the central hall, we find another living room with a yellow sofa, a fireplace, a small table, window with balcony, library and a flat screen TV with SKY. There is another double bedroom with a double bed with iron headboard, antique bedside tables, a chest with 3 drawers, a desk, a 2-cushion sofa, wood stove, two closets, and air conditioning. There is an en-suite bathroom with a tub and shower. Single bedroom and 3rd double bedroom both furnished in an antique-style.  The double also houses one of the property’s true historical piece, the estate’s oldest bedframe – a true collector’s piece. The double enjoys a window with spectacular views of the hills, the swimming pool, and Montalcino at a distance. There is air conditioning and the two bedrooms share a bathroom with shower. On the same floor, on the corner of the living room, is the corridor that joins the tower. Here to the left lies a double bedroom (convertible into a twin) with white padded headboards, a dresser with 3 drawers, and a small cabinet with doors. There is an en-suite bathroom with a very large shower and windowsill seat.

The Tower – Mezzanine Floor

The passage to the tower is up 14 steps and here you yet another bedroom with a double iron bed, a wood stove, large window, large classic closet and air conditioning.  There is also a single bedroom as well as an external bathroom with freestanding bath and window, which is shared if both bedrooms are occupied. A spiral staircase of 27 steps leads you up to the second floor of the tower where we access a huge living room with a fireplace, air conditioning, a round table, library, two sofas in the middle of the room, a low coffee table, chairs, a large flat screen TV and another large sofa. Three windows with a full view of the surrounding hills in the distance gives views out towards Siena and Montalcino. From the tower it is possible to enjoy a 360° view that stretches from Siena to Montalcino to Mount Amiata, a unique panorama of the whole Orcia valley.  Truly unique. Next to the library is the entrance to a large double bedroom (convertible into a twin bed), with air conditioning.  The beds have classic wooden headboards and are practically two double beds, each almost queen size, with a dresser with 4 drawers and a fireplace. There is a large en-suite bathroom with a shower and bath, a chest with 6 drawers, and air conditioning.

Second Floor

Out the tower to the living are on the first floor, we enter a new wing of the house, which accesses the second floor up a flight of 22 steps. Here we have two more bedrooms and an ample laundry area. The double room with a white upholstered headboard boasts a sky patterned painted ceiling, a wardrobe, bedside tables and a chest with 4 drawers, air conditioning, and an en-suite bathroom with a window, bathtub and shower. The second, smaller double bedroom enjoys twin beds, a large closet, desk and dresser four drawers and a window overlooking the driveway and onto the tennis court.

Swimming Pool

A driveway leads to the pool, set in vastly manicured lawns. The swimming pool (9 x 5 meters) is oval and the area is comfortably equipped with an outdoor shower, umbrellas, and wooden sunbeds. Pool gazebo for poolside dining. Changing facilities by the pool. In the shadier areas of the park there are elegant little lounge areas and, on the outdoor terrace contained within the villa, an open air dining area with a long table for sixteen.

Tennis Court

• Private tennis court

SPA/Gym

• SPA with Sauna and Gym

Access & Parking

The Castle offers ample private parking  

Main Facilities

• Air conditioning in five of the double bedrooms
• Sat-TV, IPOD Dock, Wi-fi throughout
• 2 washing machines
• Dishwasher
• Swimming pool
• Tennis court
• SPA with Sauna and Gym

Included in the Rental Rate

• Full time Estate Manager
• Daily Continental Breakfast
• Utilities
• Housekeeper service every morning (5 hours) , except Sundays
• Gardner
• Exclusive use of all areas and swimming pool
• Tennis court
• Changing of bath towels and bed linens on Tuesdays and on Saturdays
• BBQ and wooden oven pizza
• Sat Tv and Sky Tv; Dvd player
• Organic Extravirgin Olive Oil from the castle’s production (1 lt)
• Special Wine Selection from the castle’s cantina (18 Bottles)

Not Included in the rental rate

• City taxi if required
• Final cleaning, € 50 per bedroom

Historical Outline

This estate is ripe in history and many illustrious Italian families have owned this property over time, including the infamous names such as Guglieschi and Borghese. The home was built in the mid 15th Century by a an Italian Cardinal as an estate in the countryside, but the tower dates back to 1200 and was used as a vanguard in the siege of the troops of Siena in Montalcino. The descendants of the current owner’s family joined the tower with the house, creating a single complex towards the end of the 1800s. For the present owner priority has always been to maintain the flavour and tradition of the estate while making modern improvements where necessary. The castle is located precisely between Siena and the Orcia Valley, a UNESCO recognized historical landmark site. In the cellar of the castle, the grapes of the harvest of the 20 acres of vines produce their own wine: Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Foglia Tonda, Autoctono Colorino, Chardonnay, and Trebbiano Toscano. The estate also counts more than 500 olive trees and a specialized installation of two hectares planted with 1,000 plants including Leccino, Frantoio, Maurino and Pendolino fro which the finest Extra Virgin Olive Oil is produced. Consider that the estate has an area that covers about 673 hectares (1670 acres) of cultivated fields, vineyards, and woods and originally it counted several of the villages nearby. Horse riding stables (about 1 km away) brings the horses up to the villa for those who want to enjoy a ride though the grounds of the castle.