TripZilla
Image credits: sailko
I can’t help but say, “Wow! Who could ever abandon such a stunning piece of architectural beauty?”
Sitting magnificently on top of a hill in the municipality of Reggello, Florence, Italy, Sammezzano Castle is one of greatest examples of Moorish revival architecture. It was originally built by the Spanish nobleman, Ximenes of Aragon in 1605. Two centuries later, the property was inherited by Ferdinand Panciatichi Ximenes, who remodelled it into an extravagant Moorish-inspired residence.
Image credits: Paebi
Image credits: loyalroyal.me
The palace was converted into a luxury hotel after World War II, but it was later closed and abandoned. In 2012, a committee called Comitato FPXA, after the initials of Ferdinando Panciatichi Ximenes of Aragon, was organised to restore and preserve its 365 unique rooms. This year, Palmerston Hotels & Resorts with its joint venture partners are planning to redevelop the property into a luxurious sporting resort with a boutique hotel, apartments, spa and country club with golf, tennis and many other sporting amenities. We’ll see how the plan goes in the near future.
Meanwhile, let’s explore the castle’s present state.
Head down to Italy and see this castle yourself before it’s gone.
