Farm-house Castello Di Tornano

Description Castello Di Tornano

Welcome to History, welcome to the Middle Ages. Go over a thousand years the walls of this castle have been silent witnesses to intriguing stories, rivalries and plots; they must have seen hundreds of children grow and enjoy the merriment of court games; they could tell us about true love stories and secret love affaires, as well as the horror of bloodshed due to revenges and retaliations; they must have seen Christian wedding celebrations and pagan festivals. These walls bear the weight of years and years of history and, maybe, this is the reason why they are so…thick !! How many important people must have they seen go by and how many more they will see ! If you like, Guests of Tornano, you too could be among the important people of Tornano’s new history. The first mention of the Tornano “curtem”dates back to July 790 during the 17th year of Charlemagnes rule in Italy. There seems to be a document saying that three Lombard brothers Atroald, Adonald, Adopald donated Tornano to the Monastery of St. Bartholomew in Ripoli (Florence), that was founded by their great-grandfather called Adonald. January 23, 1167, as it appears from a decree that is still kept in the Brolio archives, the Emperor Fredrick Barbarossa dispossessed Warnellottus, lord of Tornano, of all his rights of ownership of his castles of Tornano and Campi “pro gravibus malefici que contra nastram coronam commisit " (Warnellottus was found guilty for capturing an imperial messenger); The emperor gave these castles to his general Ranieri of Berlingero. Warnellottus was notorius for his cruelty: as owner of two strategic areas, Tornano and Campi, he controlled one of the busiest routes and imposed a tribute on all passers-by with his systematic brutality. He ignored the imperial decree. In fact, at the historical meeting of representatives from Siena and Florence on December 11th, 1176 at Pieve San Marcellino in Avane, when the southe Chianti district passed under the control of Florence (from Burna to Castagnoli), Warnellottus, who was present at the meeting as a local lord, made it clear to the Florentines that, despite this decree, Tornano would continue to stay firmly under his own and Siena’s control. Warnellottus and hie heirs managed to keep his freedom for 16 more years, until 1217. On October 4 of that year, he was forced to make a shrewd political move: he changed sides and sold his castle with all its annexes to the Bishop of Florence. Eight days later, the bishop of Florence by a special transfer act ceded to Warnellottus and his relatives all the goods sold as “emphytheusis” under the oath of loyalty to the Bishop and to the city of Florence. Several raids of Florentine soldiers into the lands of Siena brought about hostility between the two cities. In the year 1230, troops from Siena invaded the Chianti Gaiole area in retaliation of Warnellottus treason ( e.g. the pretended sale to the Bishop of Florence); they thought it was their right to take Tornano from the enemy’s army that was camping at Monteluco di Lecchi. Thus, after climbing over the southe walls, they took it and Ranieri Pulce, who was on the front line over the walls, was given the wall crown. The Siena troops attacked again and for the last time in 1251 and this probably forced the Warnellottus family to give up; in fact, they moved to Florence for good. The Ricasoli Firidolfi family took over Tornano. Within the walls of Tornano castle there was an ancient chapel that became part of the Pieve di St. Marcellino parish church. With the 1427 census, the St. Quirico parish church in Tornano counted 32 families. During the devastating Aragonese invasions in 1453 and 1477 Tornano lived up to its fame of impregnable place, held the invaders at bay and never surrendered, whereas most of the castles in our Chianti area (including powerful Brolio) were badly damaged or destroyed. Castello di Tornano belongs to the Selvolini family of Florence since the 70. This family has made of Castello di Tornano one of the most beautiful accomodation, pride of all Chianti and beyond.

Rates Farm-house

Services Farm-house

Our restaurant in the central courtyard of the estate offers local dishes accompanied by the production wines from our cellar. Staying at Castello di Tornano means relaxing in the pool carved out of the ancient moat, walking , tasting our wines and olive oil, preparing a typical Tuscan menu with our cooking class. Weddings and ceremonies must be agreed with the management.

restaurant Farm-house Castello Di Tornano

Map

How To Reach Us

• A1 Motorway, Valdarno Exit. Follow Signs For Montevarchi, Cavriglia, Gaiole In Chianti. In Gaiole In Chianti Proceed On The SP 408 Towards Siena. Castello Di Tornano Is Only 6 Km From Gaiole
• Train To Montevarchi, 25 Km From The Relais, Then Take A Taxi, Cost About 50 Euros. Train To Siena, 20 Km From The Relais, Then Take A Taxi, About 35 Euros (specify That We Are At Km 20.2 Of The SP408)
• Plane To Florence Or Pisa, Then On The A1 Motorway, Exit Valdarno. Follow Signs For Montevarchi, Cavriglia, Gaiole In Chianti. In Gaiole In Chianti Proceed On The SP 408 Towards Siena At Km 20.2

Guest Review Castello Di Tornano

	(Couple)
	ritornero (Excellent)
	(Couple)
	(Excellent)