THE HISTORY
The first document about Vincigliata is a contract that war registered in archives of Florence in the year 1031, by the family Vinsdomini, then owners. Later, it passed to the family Alessandri I who had it for some three hundred years.
The decline started in the 17th century, the castle was sold, gambled away and gradually went to rack and ruin. In 1840 lord John Temple leader was exploring the hill of Fiesole, when he came upon the overgrown ruin of a medieval castle. He in instantly fell in love with it and decided to restore it to its former glory. Of the many stories he uncovered, Sir John especially coveted the one about Donna Bianca.
Sir John decided that Vincigliata was a perfect place to host his many noble friends. With the help of a young architect Fancelli, he started the daunting task of restoration. In pure spirit of renaissance patronage, he commissioned 80 masons, artisans, sculptors, glassmakers and antiquarians and with their help, Vincigliata was reborn after 10 years of work.
Today, Vincigliata Castle continues in the spirit of Sir John Temple leader, as a place of inspiration and a centre for all kinds of social and cultural gatherings, creating unforgettable evenings within its magic atmosphere.
