Location
Pilgrims on the road to Rome travelled through Proceno on the Via Francigena, for years the most important trade and communications route between northern and southern Europe, a fertile territory for cultural exchange. Monuments, artistic treasures, splendid cathedrals, villas and magnificent gardens enriched the principal cities along the journey. On this road, people from all over Europe have for centuries met in peace, recognising in each other fellow members of a unique culture.
The area surrounding our castle is practically untouched: steep hills, forests, majestic centuries old trees, and untamed rivers. The Stridolone torrent, with its uncontaminated habitat, is a haven for wildlife. The Elvella lake irrigates the surrounding area during summer when the luminous gold of sunflowers covers the ground. Climbing to the top of the main tower of the castle, you are in the middle of a natural amphitheatre, encircled by Mount Civitella, with Castell’Azzara; Mount Amiata, with skiing and other winter sports; Radicofani Castle; Celle sul Rigo; Mount Cetona, with its two little towns of Chiusi and Cetona; Mount Rufeno, with a beautiful and extensive nature reserve and a Flower Museum; the castle of Torre Alfina; and the very old Sasseto forest. Around Mount Amiata are many hot springs and luxurious spas. And to the south is Lake Bolsena, the largest volcanic lake in Italy, with its two rocky islands, Bisentina and Martana.
Proceno – in the village with all amenities
Acquapendente 12km
Bolsena 32km
Fabro 37km – A1 Autostrada to Rome/Florence
Orvieto 39km
Siena 87km
External
Sitting in this spectacular countryside are the gardens of the castle. To reach the castle, you go through lemon and boxwood hedge gardens. Traditionally laid out, these hanging gardens are located on the old walls that were part of the fortification of the castle. Below the castle, a wilder, more natural garden rolls down the hill to the area of the restaurant and swimming pool and opens into the countryside. Old visteria covers stone walls. Banksia roses lying on ancient trees, and streams of iris paint the landscape.
You may visit the castle, visit the museum in the main tower and look out over the ancient Etruscan land from the battlements. In the courtyard of the castle, you may also enjoy music events organized by the Carlo Cecchini Historical and Cultural Association. And in the family kitchen, you may take cooking classes, where people from the village will teach you old recipes.
Understanding Tuscia is all about slowing down and experiencing an enchanted moment in Italian life, allowing the magic of the countryside to envelop you in its memories of past centuries.
Restaurant
Telling the story of old traditions, the restaurant’s cuisine is based on simple ingredients that follow the seasons: fresh vegetables grown along the Stridolone torrent in spring and summer, wild mushrooms in autumn, and fresh game in winter—all enhanced by the meticulous use of herbs and the local garlic. Handmade fresh pasta, local sheep and goat cheeses, and home-made cakes and tarts are only a few of the delights waiting for you.
And to complement your meal, we bring the best wines of central Italy from our cellars to your table.
In warm weather, meals are served outdoors or under a portico with sliding windows. We are open only for dinner.
Swimming Pool
Internal
In addition to the apartments, the Castello di Proceno offers three rooms Collinella, Poggiolo and Caciaia, all restored with great care to detail. Access to the suites is through a gate that opens into a furnished garden and courtyard on the side of the castle. On the right, a door opens from the courtyard to an internal staircase that connects the three floors of the suites.
The three suites are equipped with fridge, microwaves, electric kettle, toaster, and a small sink.
All bathrooms have a shower and hairdryer.
Breakfast is available on request.
Collinella
Collinella is a few steps on the right of the entrance where a door opens onto a lovely room furnished in the Empire style.
This suite is extremely romantic and has a panoramic window overlooking the valley of the river Paglia and the Nature Reserve of Monte Rufeno.
There is a double bed, a single sofa bed and an ornamental ceramic fireplace. A door opens into the complete bathroom with shower and hairdryer.
Caciaia
Caciaia, whose name reminds us of the room where in olden times the cheese was put to mature, is at the foot of a flight of wooden steps leading down to a very nice hall.
A very old door opens into a huge, beautiful room with terracotta fireplace, double bed that can be split into two beds and single sofa bed. A door opens into the complete bathroom with shower and hairdryer.
Il Poggiolo
Il Poggiolo is on top of a steep staircase in the hall leading up to the first floor.
The door on the right opens into a living room with double bed. On the left side there is a small storage room with a wardrobe and plenty of space for luggage. A door in the living room opens into a complete bathroom with shower and hairdryer.
A lovely stone and terracotta fireplace is between a window and a glass door which opens onto a delightful, furnished terrace that is private to this apartment.
The terrace offers spectacular views over Proceno, the surrounding countryside and the Castle.
This suite is not suit able for small children.