The castle is situated in Tuscany between the town of Florence and the town of Fiesole a short distance away from a little frequented road. This castle is totally immersed in green woods and the surrounding fields. In 1840 John Temple Leader, while he was walking along the hills of Fiesole, found an old medieval castle in ruins and immediately fell in love with it, also having noticed the beautiful panoramic view over Florence offered from there.
The castle is of medieval origin and owes its current appearance to a complete reconstruction in neo-Gothic style made in the 19th century by the will of its owner John Temple Leader, who commissioned the architect Giuseppe Fancelli, who completed the restoration in 1865. The castle is already mentioned in 14th century chronicles that indicate the Visdomini family as the owners of the property. However, at the time when John Temple Leader found it, the castle was reduced to few ruins. The courtyard holds some surviving coats of arms of the time, while the interiors are adorned with a series of Fourteenth century frescoes detached from a chapel of Via della Scala in Florence.
Unfortunately the Castle of Vincigliata is private and cannot be visited on a regular basis. Fortunately, its beauty can be admired when the interiors host exhibitions. The manor is also let for private parties and weddings.
Besides its historic and aesthetic importance, the castle of Vincigliata is also known as a haunted castle. The story goes telling the unfortunate happenings of a woman called Donna Bianca who was the victim of the hatred between the owners of Vincigliata and those of the nearby castle of Poggio. The girl was jumped by the owners of castle of Poggio and killed to hurt the owners of Vincigliata. From that day on the soul of the young lady wanders restlessly on summer days over the crenellated tops of the castle and along the fields around the latter. Only the guardian and his family live in the castle.
Where to find the Castle of Vincigliata:
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