The fascinating history of Sammezzano Castle

Sammezzano Castle is located in the city of Leccio, in Tuscany, in the municipality of Reggello, about 30 kilometres from Florence. The castle is set on top of a hill, which is a historical park of 187 hectares of property. Sammezzano is not a private luxury castle to rent to American and Russian magnates, its story is different.
 

 
It was built around the XVII century as a hunting lodge and maintained the traditional appearance of a Tuscan villa until the XIX century.
Then the property was bought by the Marquis Ferdinando Ximenes D’Aragona, who worked for more than 40 years to design the present appearance of the castle.
 

 
The marquis was a protagonist in the cultural, social and political life of Florence, and his eclectic personality drove him to transform the castle and renovate it for more than 40 years. The ancient hunting lodge characterized by De Medici’s style turned into a luxury residence with an eclectic style with an orientalist mark.

Starting from the early years of the 19th century all Europe was characterized by a cultural current called “Orientalism” and Florence was one of the most affected cities. Obviously, a man with large financial resources, vast culture and interest in several pleasure activities appreciated the style of this cultural current.
  

 
Ferdinando started modifying the existing structure, adding new rooms and so creating a unique building; the most exemplary example of Orientalist art in Europe and Italy.
Inside this atypical Tuscan castle, there is an Indian and Arabic atmosphere with architectural cross-references to Moorish masterpieces such as the Alhambra in Granada and the Taj Mahal.
   

 
Enchanting rooms decorated with surprising colours and marvellous combination of lights with writings and mottos in Latin, Italian and Spanish telling about Ferdinando and the years he lived.
Around the castle, Ferdinando created one of the largest historical parks in Tuscany with more than 100 exotic species of plants. Most of the species disappeared, but the park is still famous for its several sequoias, including the “Sequoia Gemella” (the twin sequoia), the monumental tree which is considered the second tallest tree in Italy.
  

 
In the post-war period, it was turned into a luxury hotel, then it became the location of several movie productions, and sometime later it was put up for auction, but with poor results.
The number of possible visitors increases every year, but unfortunately, it is closed because of its present state. Sammezzano Castle Srl has not yet advised when the castle will open again.
Moreover, some conservation works are causing a dangerous environment for unauthorised personnel. There is no running water, no heating, no working toilet, no safety doors or any other mandatory service required by similar buildings and museums, so it is not possible to organize guided tours with a regular ticket.
  

 
This is a real concern for the entire Italian population, a matter to address at the earliest. It is necessary to retrieve the funds and make the Sammezzano castle shine again.
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