CASTELLO DI MODANELLA

Modanella: a cluster of Tuscan farm houses, school and church forming a small hamlet, situated on high ground which, with its beautiful medieval castle, dominates the surrounding landscape.
In the vineyards, which form part of the landscape, nestle the tipical Tuscan houses offered for rental. The facades of the houses have been maintained in their original form. However, internally they have been transformed into functional and relaxing accommodation.
A stroll in the woods, fishing in two lakes, a dip in the pool and a game of tennis are but a step away from your door. At 25 kms away you can enjoy horse riding. For the health conscious there are two renowned spa at 6 kms.

Modanella is also an ideal venue for holding conferences and functions. With its quite, private setting it can offer spectacular wedding surroundings, and conference facilities.
Possibility to organize:

- congresses, meetings, seminars, conventions
- gala dinners
- parties in medieval setting
- weddings

The oldest parts of the Castello di Modanella were built in the 12th century by the noble Cacciaconti family. In a later period, the Piccolomini family of counts inhabited the castle for hundreds of years. Despite the alterations and extensions that have occurred in the course of its history, Modanella has retained the appearance of a real fortress. As you go through into the courtyard, with its view of the charming loggia and gardens, the view is spectacular.
The Modanella estate extends over no fewer than 630 hectares in the province of Siena. The castle dominates its surroundings, looking out over several farm houses that have been meticulously restored and given comfortable, rustic interiors.
They are rented out to people who are looking for peace and quiet, and who fancy a taste of history here in the heart of Tuscany. Yet there are other reasons, too, why this location is unique. It is not only the Castello di Modanella that has been preserved, but also the entire village of Modanella.

Apartments
1. Torri Alte & Torri Uliveto
Just opposite the Castle there is ancient building which was used in the past as granary and now converted in eight very confortable apartments. The swimming pool is 100 meters away. The 4 apartments Torri Alte just face the wall wich surrounds the Castle and its garden and the 16th century Church dedicated to Saint John. Here you can breathe the medieval atmosphere. The 4 apartments Totti Uliveto offer a pleasant view over the valley that can be enjoyed from the lawn scattered with old olive trees outside the apartments.

2. Giardino & Voliere
In the last centuries there were many mulberry-trees which created a wealty production of silk and in the building Giardino, situated next to the castle garden, there was the silk factory. This building now hosts 5 apartments of wich 4 are on the ground/1° floor. One apartment is on ground floor only. The supervisor of the hunting, mushrooms and wild fruit picking used to live at Voliere. This little house, just 2 apartments, overlooks the valley and a splendid swimming pool.

3. Casone
The stone work of the house named Casone can evoke 15th hundred century constructions: it was instead carefully built in 1999 using local stones. This house has a splendid view on the vineyards and olive groves and is also near the swimming pool. All the 4 apartments are on ground/first floor.

4. Casino
Casino is a former country house now converted in 4 apartments. One apartment on the ground floor is the result of a new connection of an old warehouse to the existing house. In this apartment we have kept the old bread oven which once was situated in the open. Next to this house there was a small animal shelter which has been enlarged to become a 2 bedrooms apartment on ground/first floor. Few meters up the hill is the swimming pool.

5. Vignacce
This large country house has the typical architecture of Tuscan houses with lovely arches. This house host apartments which are either on the ground/first/second floor. In the courtyard there is still old bread oven which can be used by the guests for grilling their meat or baking pizza. A table tennis is undes the arched terrace. Swimming pool and tennis court are 200 meters away from the house.

6. Forcone & Forconcino
200 meters below the house called Vignacce there is Forcone which, together with Forconcino, hosts 5 apartments. These houses are situated just a few meters away from the swimming pool and the tennis court and they are overlooking the Castle and the valley. Old oak trees by the swimming pool replace the sunshades. You can sit by the pool and forget to live in the 21° Century. Everything is as it used to be hundreds years ago. Also at Forcone there is the old bread oven.

7. Sanità
This is one of the largest house : it has twelve apartments situated either on the ground or first floor. Its name means 'Healty Place'. It is situated high up on the hill overlooking the Castle and the little lake down below with the woodland which surrounds the house and shelter it from the north wind. It has a swimming pool from which you can enjoy splendid sunsets. The old bread oven is also in this house to replace the more modern barbecue.

8. Villa La Montagna
In one of the highest part of the property, there is the only one family villa: Montagna has 8 double bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, studio, sitting room and it's own private 10x20 meters swimming pool. Tho hectares of fenced lawn area and woodland surround the villa and the view from this house is astonishing.

Next to the castle there is a 16th Century Church which is simple but very charming. It can contain about 100 people standing up or 60 people seated. If no church service is needed the wedding ceremony can take place with the Mayor of Rapolano Terme or Lucignano in their respective 'Comune'.
All the wedding details can be organize: the choice of menu, the setting of the tables, the flowers arrangements, the wedding cake, the wines and the music etc. During the summer the aperitives and starters can be served in the garden.
After one can choose between a buffet or a served dinner. Both the ground and the first floor halls can be used for this purpose.
Ground floor hall: 100 Guests at dinner tables.
First floor halls: the largest hall can host 130 Guests at dinner tables, other 70 Guests can be hosted in the rooms adjoining the large hall. The courtyard is available for larger parties during the summer.

Modanella is an ideal venue for holding conferences and functions. With its quite, private setting it can offer spectacular wedding surroundings, and conference facilities. Is possible to arrange basic equipment and can satisfy any particular request for specific needs. Is possible to arrange coffee breaks and light buffet lunch as well as gala dinner.
If you wish, for entertainment during the conference, is possible to organise medieval dinners, with trumpets and flags to welcome guests as they arrive. Medieval knights fighting in the courtyard together with ladies in costumes singing and dancing. Or alternatively some classical, folk, or traditional music playing in the courtyard of the Castle.
If you wish during the conference you can avail of local facilities such as a relaxing day at the Spa in Rapolano Terme, or an hot air balloon ride over the beautiful Tuscan countryside. Wine tasting can also be organised at the Castle or in other wineries in the area (Montalcino, Montepulciano, Chianti etc.).
The Ground Floor Hall has been renovated recently and is equipped with air conditioning and an audio system. The capacity of a conference in this hall is up to 120 persons seated with a large table for speakers. This hall opens out into the courtyard.
The First Floor Hall is normally used for welcome cocktails or breakfast. The Second Hall, which is the largest can be used for a conference or wedding party, gala dinner etc. Its capacity is up to 120 seated at dinner tables. The total capacity for the First, Second, Third and Fourth Hall on the first floor is in total 180 persons seated.

A restaurant and a small bar are now available, at the castle.
The careful selection of locally produced high quality ingredients together with the skill of the Chefs are a winning combination for an unforgettable culinary experience.
The good food lovers can book a dinner in one of the three beautifully decorated rooms situated on the ground floor or a lunch in the garden during the summer season.

All the apartments, besides the bedrooms, have a kitchen corner or a separate kitchen. The guests can either cook for themselves or come to the Castle's Restaurant. Other restaurants and trattories can be found in the nearby villages (Serre di Rapolano, Rapolano Terme, Lucignano, Monte San Savino).

Sport Facilities
Tennis courts are available all year round.
Four Swimming Pools (10 x 20 metres) are available from late May until end of September.
Table Tennis is available all year round.
Two lakes on the property for Fishing available all year round.
The 400 hectares of woodland which surrounds the property offers an unique opportunity for walks in the woods.
Mountain Bikes can be made available on request.
The nearest Golf Course to Modanella is Golf Club Esse (Bettolle) with 9 holes, 20 kms away.
There are many 18 hole courses scattered round Tuscany and Umbria: Circolo Golf Perugia (Ellera Umbra), 75 kms away. Circolo Golf Ugolino ( Grassina - Firenze), 100 kms away

Local Activities
Tuscany is renowned for its Spa. At 8 kms from Modanella there is the sulphur spring of the 'Terme Antica Querciolaia' where besides the theurapeutical aspects one can enjoy the thermal swimming pool in the open - or a beauty farm treatment.
Horse Riding in the area is common. The nearest place to Modanella is at about 10 kms.: they cater for experts or lessons for children and adults. Enquire at the Reception for details.
If you like to get up early in the morning you might be able to enjoy a nice Balloon Ride. Enquire at the Reception for details.