Castello di Velona, located on a hill overlooking the Val d’Orcia, is a restored castle dating back to the 10th century.
Located just 8 km from Montalcino, the castle overlooks the Val D’Orcia, with its typical landscape of olive trees and vineyards, famous producers of Brunello di Montalcino wine. From Velona Castle you can visit Siena, Pienza, Montepulciano, San Quirico D’Orcia, Bagno Vignoni but also the extraordinary Abbeys of Sant’Antimo and Monte Oliveto Maggiore.
The Castello di Velona enjoys a 360 degree view of its ancient olive groves and vineyards. It was built as a medieval fortress in the 11th century. The watchtower has remained intact since the 12th century, a reminder of the ancient rivalry between Siena and Florence, while the rear of the castle is late medieval. In the Renaissance, a period to which the main loggia can be traced back, the castle was transformed into a residential villa; Velona is represented in the geographical maps frescoed in the Vatican by famous Perugian cosmographer, geographer and mathematician Ignazio Danti. Darkness fell on the castle for many centuries and we it wasn’t until 1997 that it rose again from ruin to be transformed into a luxurious relais, thanks to the renovation that was carried out respecting the original structure of the dwelling. Since 2003, the renovation for the discovery of the thermal waters inside the property and its extension have delivered the Velona Resort, Thermal SPA & Winery to an international public.
The odours of aromatic herbs and the typical colours of the Tuscan land; the vineyards and the olive trees that surround the castle; and wine and food research are all part of an overall nourishment of body and soul, entrusted to the rustic settings of Il Brunello in the historical wing of the castle, and the modern design of the Settimo Senso Restaurant, which was built in the new wing.
The inner rooms jut out over the Val D’Orcia thanks to the panoramic terraces of the two restaurants of the castle, one to the east exposed to the first rays of the sun, the other to the west facing sunset. From the two warm outdoor pools overlooking the Val d’Orcia, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside and castle vineyards. The thermal indoor and outdoor pools are also connected by a water passage inside the pool. Here the view extends all around the rolling Tuscan hills, giving you the feeling of being magically suspended over the landscape.
