A series of struggles and occupations, fought in order to the conquer the territory and the castle itself, characterize its history. At the end of the 10th century Strove and Staggia were under the rule of the Franzesi, a noble family of the Salic law, who is thought by several genealogists to be descended from the Countess Ava Zenovi whose sarcophagus is still on view in the right aisle of the abbey in Abbadia a Isola.

In the 12th sentury the Castle was under the rule of the Soarzi. In the 13th century it belonged to Ginibaldo Saracini, Sapia Salvani's husband. She was the daughter of a noble and powerful Sienese family and she was also quoted in Dante Alighieri's Purgatory.

In the 15th century it was under the rule of the Capacci, a noble Sienese family coming from Monteagutolo del Bosco, who chose as their own coat of arms a boar's head, carved as ornament on the stones of the floors and of the portals of the castle, and which is still in part visible. The most ancient part of Castel Pietraio is its high tower with its particular Guelph battlement.

The next buildings were built later (from 1300 to 1500) and now they form the present quadrangular plan of the complex with the inside cloister, where a well for the collection of the rainwater provided for the water supply of that time ; and the outside stone staircase which connected the tower to the most recent buildings. The construction of the church dedicated to the Saints Peter and Paul is of the same period. The buildings of the little village completing Castel Pietraio date from 1700.

The shortage of factories, the typical traditional Tuscan cultivations such as olive-trees, vines, wheat and sunflowers, the woods of the Park in the Sienese Montagnola, make this Tuscan area a natural oasis.

You can spend romantic stays or just week-ends in the suggestive framework of the artistic and historic Tuscany, sleeping in precious rooms inside a seventeenth century building in the old village of Castel Pietraio.



For those ones who appreciate old smells which remind of ancestral memories of wood and resin,of lac and wax, here are the original stone-made tuff plastered walls,the ceilings with chestnut girders and stringers and terracotta tiles,according to the Tuscan Renaissance tradition; the floors reproduce designs of those Renaissance times and the bathrooms suites are made of Carrara marbles with old style fittings.

The guests are embraced by the warm softness of quilts or by the classical beauty of matelassè cloths,according to the season,180 cms wide beds with sommier and mattresses with a bagged springing system. Air conditioning, 21"Sony TV set with satellite channels,telephones for direct calls everywhere,minibar,safe and Jacuzzi baths,in two of the eight family rooms, are the modern comforts that are offered, trying to be always ready to please and satisfy our guests.

If you want to spend a holiday immersed in an uncontaminated nature, respectful of the environment,in a place where daily activities follow the rhythm of sun and seasons, Castel Pietraio has got an older part of its building with comfortable elegantly furnished apartments ,equipped with 21" sony TV set with satellite channels and telephone for direct calls.

The place also comprehends the park extending as far as the wood, a 9 x 18 metres swimming-pool with solarium which is open in summer from May 15th to September 30th, from 9.00a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 3.00p.m. to 8.00 p.m.; the barbecue for parties outside and a children's playground.

The apartments in the castle take their names from architectural details which characterize them and they are as follows:

The Guardacastello
Located on the first floor ( two beds ),living-room with cooking facilities,double room,toilet with shower.

The Beccatelli
Located on the second floor ( three beds ),living-room with cooking facilities, double room, single room, toilet with shower.

The Barbacani
Situated on the first floor (four beds),living-room, small kitchen, double room, room with two beds, toilet with shower.

The Tower
Situated on the second floor (five beds), entrance, living-room with cooking facilities, double room, room with three beds, single room, toilet with shower.

The Palchi
Situated on the second floor (five beds), entrance, living-room with cooking facilities, double room, room with two beds, single room, toilet with shower.

The Parate Two apartments in an annexe:
I) first floor (four beds),living-room with cooking facilities, two double rooms, small sitting-room,toilet with shower.








II) First floor (four beds),entrance,living-room, kitchen, two double rooms, small sitting-room,toilet with shower.

To make an event a very special one,being it a wedding or the presentation of a book or any other product,you need to choose accurately the place where it has to be held.

A happening in a classic environment like Castel Pietraio,where respect for history and love for nature mingle with the traditional aesthetic elements of Tuscan territory, will surely be a success,leaving the participants with a pleasant and lasting memory.

You can reach Capacci Halls from the internal cloister of Castel Pietraio, opposite the Tower which dates back to 1000 A.D.; on special events the tower's battlement is lit up with torches, creating a suggestive Medieval atmosphere.

To furtherly stress the historical ambience,it is possible to organize, with the help of the local cultural association, a Medieval dinner with 14th century dishes and entertainment in costume. The hall can contain about a hundred and twenty people and other fifty people can be contained by the outside area in front of the park.