Palazzuolo sul Senio is a small medieval village on the border between Emilia Romagna and Tuscany, halfway between Bologna and Florence. The delightful hamlet, surrounded by the greenery of the Apennines, is one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy” and has obtained the title of “Ideal Village” in Italy. It is the perfect destination for those looking for peace, relaxation, and culture combined with the outdoors. A holiday in Palazzuolo sul Senio offers visitors a 360 ° experience and a time they will never forget!
And right here, in the historic center, is where you’ll find the romantic medieval residence La Torre del Vicario.
The Residence
La Torre del Vicario is an exclusive holiday home, dating back to the 13th century, located in the historic center with a private garden and terraces equipped with gazebos, tables, chairs, a solarium, and a brick bbq.
Your stay in Palazzuolo sul Senio will be a journey back in time in this historic building, equipped with all the modern comforts and mountain views. In the past, the building was used for both defensive and residential purposes and was part of the complex of former Ubaldini houses, connected both at ground level and underground to the current Palazzo dei Capitani.
The tower still retains original architectural features such as the external stone walls, the windows and shelves in pietra serena, part of the beams and the internal doors in chestnut wood.
A Dream Holiday Home
The apartment with exposed chestnut beams is furnished with period furniture and is spread over two floors. With two bathrooms and three double bedrooms, the Torre del Vicario offers its guests an attic with a sofa bed for a total of up to 8 guests thus becoming the perfect solution for families and couples of friends. There is an equipped kitchen and a delightful living room with a terrace that leads to a gazebo ideal for outdoor dining. From there, guests can enjoy the solarium, and in the summer months, a swimming pool. From the terrace of the dining room, there is access to a fenced garden with a pergola covered in grape vines and a brick barbecue.
After a recent remodel, two brand-new apartments have been created within the structure on the first floor. The Maghinardo and Cia apartments can accommodate up to 4 and 2 guests, respectively. Both have been tastefully redone in true Tuscan farmhouse style with authentic furniture, chestnut wood, fireplaces, and kitchenettes. They can also be rented together (adjoining) for a grand total of 6 guests. The entire Torre del Vicario building can also be rented accommodating up to 14 people. What a great solution for large families or friends!
Torre del Vicario offers its guests many modern comforts such as ultra-fast fiber optic internet, perfect for smart-working, and satellite TVs and smart TVs, which allow streaming from your smartphone.
Read about the recent amazing discoveries uncovered during remodeling.
What to Do in Palazzuolo sul Senio
Palazzuolo sul Senio is the perfect location to quickly reach some of the most important art cities like Florence, Bologna, Ravenna, and many others which are accessible by car. It is the ideal destination for nature lovers, relaxation, and all outdoor activities such as mountain biking, trekking, nordic walking, tennis, fishing and hunting, adventure courses, horseback riding, and motorcycling.
Recent Discoveries Uncovered at the Torre: Secret Passages
The Torre del Vicario and Piazza Strigelli have an ancient and interesting history. Initially, the Tower was part of the houses in the possession of the Ubaldini, a noble family of Lombard origin who dominated the Mugello for centuries. The building was used for both defensive and residential purposes. After the Florentine Republic took possession of the territory by force in 1373, the palace (now Palazzo dei Capitani) became the residence of the Vicar, connected both above ground and underground to the tower.
The tower, dating back to 1300, was renovated in the 1970s, revealing the original structure with architectural elements still well preserved. Piazza Strigelli, located upstream from the ancient market square in an area defined in the land register of 1428 as “Castello” (now Piazza Garibaldi) was once populated by the homes of noble notaries and merchants. The paving works in the square in 2003 led to the ancient foundations being brought to light as well as fragments of pottery and ceramics dating from the 13th to the 16th century.
The recent renovation of the “main floor” of the Tower has revealed, in addition to the rediscovery of ancient fireplaces, doors and walled niches, stone floors and ceilings with chestnut beams, further clues and artifacts that highlight the strategic importance that the tower had centuries ago. Among the most relevant, was the rediscovery of an underground passage that connected the Palace to the tower and which allowed first the members of the Ubaldini family and then the Vicar and his court to move between the connected buildings without being seen.
During the removal of the debris inside the passage, fragments of Roman pottery, and ceramic jugs from the 1300s were recovered, as well as the remains of vases and furnishings dating back to 1700. In addition to the underground passage, the presence of a narrow duct was found and was most likely part of a complex rainwater or groundwater collection system connected to a well or cistern.
The conservation efforts in the Maghinardo and Cia apartments demonstrate the commitment to preserving the original appearance of the building. Documents, maps, photos and archaeological finds provide a complete view of the evolution of the site over the centuries.
So what are you waiting for?
Book your stay in Palazzuolo sul Senio at La Torre del Vicario!
