Sammezzano Castle
Castle Sammezzano is unknown to a wide range of tourists. It is located in Tuscany, in the territory of the commune of Reggello. Getting here is quite problematic, because the castle is opened for inspection very rarely, but this does not mean that entry here is strictly prohibited. This place was often used during the filming of films and video clips.
History of Sammezzano Castle
The first building appeared here back in 780. It was owned in turn by the kings of France and Longobardy, one of the emperors of the Holy Roman Empire, and wealthy families from Florence, including the famous Medici. In 1853, the building became the property of the Marquis Ferdinindo Panciatica Jimenez di Aragon. The new owner of the building was a generalist: he was well versed in the natural and exact sciences, politics, and geology.
He was a collector and philanthropist who left his mark on many areas of Italian culture. However, the Marquis himself considered the reconstruction of the Sammezzano Castle to be the main work of his life, which he did until 1889. During this time, he changed not only the interior, turning into a semblance of the Alhambra Palace from Spanish Granada, but also the exterior, becoming similar to the magnificent Taj Mahal. After World War II, an expensive hotel operated in the building, but a year before the millennium, the building was closed. There they turned off the power and water, removed the security, leaving the beautiful creation to be torn apart by rain, snow, winds and vandals. The restoration of the unique structure began only in 2012.
Description of Sammezzano Castle
The castle consists of 365 rooms, completely different from each other. The number of rooms was not chosen by chance: it symbolizes the number of days in a year. The names of the rooms are also striking: Corridor of Stalactites, Hall of Peacocks, Lace Hall of Amanti, Hall of Lovers, Corridor of Spanish Shells, Hall of Lilies, Room of Mirrors, Smart Solutions, and so on. Each room is characterized by a specific color scheme and original geometry, stucco molding and patterns, ornaments and magnificent lace, columns and domes. Between the large rooms there are hidden niches, corridors and arches that turn into intricate labyrinths.
You can admire the charming Castle of Sammezzano for hours. True, the opening hours of this unique creation are very unusual; the building is open for only a few days a month, while free places for the excursion run out in just a few minutes. The lucky ones can walk along the first floor without going upstairs, without going into the offices or kitchen. And the room time is limited to just one hour.
Sammezzano Castle Park
But the charming park, laid out in the 19th century, can be admired without restrictions at any time of the year. The most exotic trees thrive here. For example, native redwood trees have already reached a height of 35 meters and continue to grow. The park territory occupies 65 hectares and is completely planted with both local and imported plants.
In addition to luxurious sequoias, many representatives of the flora kingdom live here, among which majestic holm, cork, and fluffy oaks stand apart. The architectural decorations of the park were bridges, pools, fountains, and statues. There is even a small artificial cave.
