ACTIVITIES 2011 HISTORY Please note that we kindly ask for reservations to be made at least 4 days in advance. Cancellation policy is 48 hours for off site activities, 24 hours for on site activities. Activity onsite Activity offsite CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO HISTORY 5 million years ago Sea levels drop, leaving sand and clay deposits across the Val d’Orcia and the Radicofani and Amiata volcanoes erupt, spreading a dark magma known as trachite – resulting in a soil mixture perfect for growing Sangiovese grapes. 600 BC Archeological digs confirm that the Etruscans occupied Castiglion del Bosco as far back as 600 BC - prizing its elevated position as a military outlook. 725 AD The Via Francigena, leading from Canterbury to Rome, is established, and used for centuries by thousands of pilgrims. The road passed through Castiglion del Bosco where pilgrims would shelter in the Pieve San Michele. 1100 Castiglion del Bosco’s Castello is built in classic medieval style; its form is similar to that of Rocca of Tentennano, located not far from the Estate. In the early 13th century, the family of Cacciaconti of Trequanda surrounded the hilltop bastion with stone walls. Still standing today are remnants of the walled enclosure, a gate and the partially destroyed Castello. 1208 Castiglion del Bosco holds a prominent position in the Sienese Republic, paying the highest property tax of all the estates. 1313 Badia Ardenga, a handsome abbey located near the Fiume Ombrone, is visited by emperors and popes traveling along the ancient Via Franciegena route. Built before 1000 AD, the original formation is still intact today. According to legend, German Emperor Henry VII of Luxembourg and his army went to the abbey to take communion during their stop in Buonconvento in 1313. Allegedly, the monks poisoned the Eucharist and the emperor was found dead in the church. 1318 Castiglion del Bosco is taken over by the Gallerani family – prosperous merchants who held public offices in Siena. It has been claimed that Cecilia Gallerani, was the subject of Leonardo da Vinci’s painting “The Lady with an Ermine” and a muse for the “Mona Lisa”. 1339 Upon Ciampolo Gallerani’s death, ownership of Castiglion del Bosco passes to the Piccolomini family, who conquered the castle after a long and bloody siege. During this period, the fortification was restored. 1345 1960s There are only a handful of Brunello di Montalcino wine producers. Pietro Lorenzetti paints the fresco “Annunciazione dei Santi” in the Church of San Michele in Castiglion del Bosco’s Il Borgo. It was rediscovered in 1876 and fully restored to its original glory. Pietro and his brother, Ambrogio Lorenzetti, who painted the Allegory of Good Government and Bad Government fresco in the Palazzo Pubblico in Siena, belonged to the famous Sienese School which flourished during the late Middle Ages and foreshadowed the art of the Renaissance. CASTIGLION DEL BOSCO HISTORY 1967 1972 The Val d’Orcia is considered a site of ‘outstanding universal value’ by the World Heritage Committee according to Article 1 of the 1972 World Heritage Convention, making Castiglion del Bosco a World Heritage Site. Castiglion del Bosco becomes one of the founding members of the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino. The organization is created as a voluntary association of producers who regulate and control the quality of Brunello production. Brunello is among the first Italian wines to be granted the titles DOC (Controlled Denomination of Origin) and DOCG (Controlled and Guaranteed Denomination of Origin). 1975 The number of Brunello di Montalcino producers increases to 25 vintners producing approximately 70,000 cases. 1995 According to the Consorzio del Vino Brunello di Montalcino, 120 producers made 300,000 cases of wine in 1995. Today, there are well over 200 producers in the Consorzio producing more than 500,000 cases of Brunello. 1996 2003 The Val d’Orcia Artistic, Natural and Cultural Park is founded. The Park, which encompasses the Castiglion del Bosco property, is an Area Naturale Protetta di Interesse Locale focused on increasing awareness of cultural and environmental heritage, as well as manufacturing and marketing of local products. Massimo Ferragamo purchases the Estate and begins restoration. 2004 UNESCO adds Val d’Orcia to its list of World Heritage Sites. 2008-2009 Castiglion del Bosco inaugurates its first nine guest Villas, and Il Borgo is unveiled after painstaking restorations, offering 23 elegantly appointed guest Suites as well as a cooking school, two restaurants, a fitness center, a tasting room, an infinity pool, and other distinctive amenities within its historic buildings. 2011 Castiglion del Bosco completes the 2nd 9 holes and opens them in June completing the course. The 19th hole is opened for play and is named the Brunello hole, here you will often see one of the members challenging the golf professionals for a glass of Brunello. 2010 Castiglion del Bosco gains a world class spa facility with the opening of the Daniela Steiner Care Suite Spa. The same year Castiglion del Bosco opens the first 9 holes of the Tom Weiskopf designed Golf Course. Within a few short weeks it is getting great reviews, destined to become Italy’s first truly world class Golf Course.
© Copyright 2024 Paperzz
