Castello Di Petroia Gubbio

Castello di Petroia is an authentic medieval fortress, dated back to the IX – X century, situated in Umbria, called The Green heart of Italy. Nestled on a hilltop between Perugia and Gubbio it offers a picturesque view of the surrounding landscape. The Castle was restored between 1982 and 1990, carefully preserving the authentic medieval structure.

Castello di Petroia is settled on a hilltop, surrounded only by woods and green. You can lose yourself admiring the endless landscapes, walking along the trails and feeling the quietness of Nature.

It is rich of arts, history and enchanting medieval stone towns such as Gubbio, Perugia and Assisi. A lot of world famous cashmere and pottery crafts, together with wine and Olive oil experiences will make your journey in Umbria unforgettable.

THE HISTORY
The origins of Castello di Petroia are to be found in the year 1072, when the independent town of Gubbio built castles to protect its territories. In 1384 the Count of Montefeltro occupied Gubbio and became both the Lord of the city and the Castle. 30 years later the Castle was sold to the Accomanducci family.

On 7th June 1422 the young Elisabetta degli Accomanducci gave birth to Federico da Montefeltro, the famous Duke of Urbino and one of the most important Italian Renaissance warlords. Castello di Petroia had different owners over the centuries. Many famous families lived here:

• In 1396 the Count Galasso da Montefeltro bought the Castle and the lands of Petroia.
• In 1414, Matteo degli Accomanducci from Urbino purchased Petroia.
• In 1458 Elisabetta degli Accomanducci inherited the entire property and received feudal titles that remained in the family for three generations.
• In 1487 Guidubaldo da Montefeltro gave the castle and its lands to Alessandro Reggeri from Canossa. The property remained in the hands of his family for 4 generations.
• In 1617 Camilla di Canossa, who had no children, donated the Castle to Monte di Pietà of Reggio Emilia (a mortgage institution for charity).
  In 1629 Monte di Pietà sold the Castle to the Ugolini family.
• From 1823 on, the Castle and its lands belonged to the Benveduti family (marquises of Gubbio).
• In 1925 (on Good Friday) the whole property was bought by David Sagrini and 20 years ago, Carlo Claudio Sagrini turned it into “Castello di Petroia relais”.

ROOMS & SUITES
The Castle has 16 exclusive bedrooms. Like real works of art they still have original wooden beams, stone arches, antique furniture and painted ceilings.

SUITES IMPERIALE
Such an unforgettable and romantic experience! Four Suites, some with stone arches, dark oak wooden beams, elegant curtains, very luxurious bathrooms with pearl mosaic tile shower and round Jacuzzi. All with nice view overlooking the valleys, these Suites are the perfect hamlets for couples.

SUITES REALE
Two top floor Suites, with mansard ceiling and view over the inner Castle courtyard and the watch Tower. One has an iron four poster bed and the other one has fine modern touches.

MEDIEVAL TOWER
Settled in the upper part of the fortress and built in the early XI century, this square medieval Tower is an extraordinary example of defending architecture. The Castle Tower is an intimate and lovable space. It is divided into 3 floors, each one of them is 10 sqm large.

Through the bedroom windows you can see the entire valley: you’ll feel like sleeping back in the middle ages! On the top floor (at the height of 18 metres) there is a panoramic terrace: you’ll look over a 360° landscape. Each floor is connected with steep and tiny stairs, but very fascinating. Although the Tower is not as comfortable as the other suites of the Castle, it throws you back into a fairy tale!

BEDROOMS NOBILIARE
Two pastels painted bedrooms, with oak wooden beams, stamps from the 18th -19th century, elegant and quiet. Noteworthy are the beds: a wrought iron from the early 19th century and a 18th century hand wood painted one, with turned wooden columns.

THE RESTAURANT
Castello di Petroia restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy a romantic dinner, surrounded by the beautiful original stone walls, the wooden timber ceiling and all tables lit up by candles. From the small loopholes you take a glimpse of the surroundings.

The creativity finds its supreme expression in our Chef Walter Passeri. His cooking philosophy is based on enhancing the genuine Umbrian products. You’ll will have the chance to experience the Chef‘s special medieval dishes.

Everything here is exalted by the experience and politeness of our maître Paolo, who will lead you with competence and attention in your culinary and wine experience.

This hall is so called in honor of the Accomanducci family, Counts of Petroia. Guido Paolo degli Accomanducci was the major of Florence in 1429 and his daughter Elisabetta gave birth to Federico da Montefeltro, on June 7th 1422. He was one of the most important dukes and warlords of Italy during that time.

COOKING CLASS
If you are fond of cooking and would like to learn how to prepare Italian meals you can assist the cooking classes of our chef Walter Passeri. The recipes and cooking advices that have been kept in the hearts for generations are within reach of anybody here at Castello di Petroia. Thanks to his passion and skills you will be able to enjoy Italian food even once you are back home.

Classes are small, no more than 6 to 8 persons, creating dishes according to the individual interests of the participants. The focus is on fresh high quality seasonal ingredients and typical Umbrian specialties “zero miles food ” such as truffles, porcini mushrooms, Pecorino cheeses, and Torta al Testo.

Traditional hand-made pasta dishes, gnocchi, sauces, homemade bread and cakes, specialty desserts, distinctive local wines and extra virgin olive oil from our farm are also featured. The classes are kept on a base of at least 2 meetings: the morning is dedicated to the preparation and the evening -to taste the meal prepared.

GUIDUBALDO HALL
The Guidubaldo Hall has remained authentic since the Renaissance with its two fireplaces, the oak beams, the 18th century windows with the best view of the Castle. It is located on the “Piano Nobile” (first floor).

During the day this lounge is a perfect place to enjoy an afternoon tea, a nice book, some music or just relax. It can be reserved to organize private events, such as family reunions, special anniversaries, birthdays or romantic dinners, surrounded only by candle lights.

THE BREAKFAST
Enjoy your morning culinary experience with the smiling Izabella. Our breakfast is served in the Guidubaldo hall – the view here is breath-taking, the scents of hand-made pastries, Italian coffee and daily fresh bread will awake all your senses. Our breakfast philosophy can be described in 3 word:fresh every day, healthy with attention to allergies, handmade by Izabella.

“CHIANINA” VEAL BREEDING
Castello di Petroia farm is dedicated mostly to the “Chianina” Veal Cattle: our 90 veals pasture inside the entire estate. The “Chianina” was a well-known breed by Ancient Romans, used mostly to work the grounds. Today it is a valuable veal meat and with its PGI certificate (protected geographical indication) is a guaranty of quality. You can taste it personally in our restaurant.

EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL 
In October the harvest of one of the most precious products of our land begins. Handpicked olives are daily brought to our cold press Oil mill and turn into “l’Oro de Petroja” – our Extra Virgin Olive Oil. It has a straw yellow colour, a sense of fresh cut herbs, a bitter and well balanced spicy taste, thanks to the ancient olive trees variety.

TRUFFLE
The overabundance of “Truffle Plants” inside the 600 acres estate of Castello di Petroia, the proper climate and landform, create the perfect conditions for the growth of the Umbrian black Truffle. Our Chef will make you taste it with some delicious pasta or meat dishes in our restaurant.

HONEY
There are some bee colonies living in the natural surroundings of Castello di Petroia. They are very important for our eco-system, because testifying a high quality environment and help pollination. The bees find horse chestnut, acacia, lavender and many fruit trees flowers and thanks to their work, our farmer harvests every year a sweet and ambered honey.

HAND-MADE JAMS 
Quinces, apricots, pears, figs and walnuts are just some of the hand-made jams produced by “Signora Natalia”, the Lady of the Castle. With a unique flavour combination, our delicious Jams are BIO, served every morning at breakfast and during an aperitif with matured Umbrian cheeses.

THE PARK
The Castle estate extends for more than 600 acres. It is really exciting to walk along the 13 km marked trails in this untouched wilderness, passing across woods and meadows. and sometimes even having amazing encounters with roebucks, foxes, pheasants and others.

Following a narrow path down the hill just outside the walls of the Castle you’ll find our swimming pool surrounded by roses that colour the green scene. You can feel the peaceful atmosphere, listening to the singing of the birds, admiring the beautiful sceneries, reading, drawing, contemplating or just lying under the shade of an ancient olive tree.

TRAILS
It is a great opportunity for those who would like to experience both some trekking activities and a complete on foot holiday. We have recovered the old rural routes and some trails traced by cattle animals passages.

This natural environment has a native Flora, with a rich varieties and not exploited by pesticides or chemical compounds. You can have amazing encounters such as roebucks, foxes, pheasants, birds, butterflies and fireflies in summer.

A great fauna which finds in this territories the peace to live in and reproduce. Our trails lead to the famous “Franciscan Path of Peace” (Sentiero Francescano) which connects the town of Assisi to Gubbio.

LANDSCAPE
As most of the medieval fortresses, the Castle is surrounded by an antique farm (600 acres) where you can find a quiet swimming pool, walking and horse riding trails, our “Chianina” veal cattle, meadows and woods and different species of wild animals.

Here you’ll find a beautiful dark sky to admire stars and constellations far from any light pollution. Castello di Petroia won the prize as one of the most beautiful dark skies of Italy. Castello di Petroia is a piece of heaven.

BEAUTIFUL UMBRIA
The”green hearth of Italy” is one of the most authentic region in Italy. Castello di Petroia is a medieval Castle, dated back 12th and 14th century, perched on an Umbrian hillside, between Perugia , Assisi and Gubbio. It doesn’t get more fairy tale than this: enchanting bedrooms, where you’ll feel like sleeping in history, looking at the endless breath taken views over the surrounded meadows.

GUBBIO
The first inhabitants of the town were even older than the Romans. You can still see the rests of a Roman theatre outside the walls of the town and various antiquities all around. The town development began during the XIV century. One of the most important buildings of the town is Palazzo dei Consoli, in gothic style.

Inside it you’ll find the Archaeological Museum and the Art Gallery. There is an amazing suspended piazza in front of the palace . You should not miss the visit to the Cathedral built on the site of a previous Romanesque church. In front of the Cathedral there is Palazzo Ducale, built by order of Federico di Montefeltro (one of the most important dukes of Italy, born in Castello di Petroia in 1422 ) during the Renaissance.

There are a lot of festivals in the town during the year. “La Corsa dei Ceri” in May is a historic event, which is certainly the most emotional and crazy of the year. It is organized in honour of the Saint patron of Gubbio – Saint Ubaldo. There is a historic crossbow competition as well.

PERUGIA
Perugia is the capital town of Umbria 30 minutes’ drive from Castello di Petroia – it is the main city in Umbria and where you’ll find gorgeous churches, cathedral historical buildings from the Etruscan and Romans, the National gallery museum.

Perugia is also an University City and it’s known for its devotion to the development of arts and culture. During the Etruscan era in Italy, Perugia was one of the main cities and prospered greatly due to its central location.

Today the city still maintains this tradition and hosts many festivals and events during the year such as the Umbria Jazz Festivalin July, which became one the most important jazz event in Italy, or the Chocolate Festival in October.

If you love foodie, don’t miss the authentic delicacies of the town: first the Chocolate, here was invented the famous “Bacio Perugina”; the Truffle and handmade Pasta is a most and the typical dessert in the name of the St. Patron of the town called “Torcolo di San Costanzo” .

ASSISI
Assisi is well known all over the worlds as a UNESCO WORD HERITAGE Site. The Franciscan Order was born here together with St. Francis who had an important impact on the Catholicism. Reach of art, Roman and Etruscan building it is also a site where you can admire some of the most amazing work of art of Italian culture.

The massive Cathedral of St. Francis, build right after the Saint death, where you can admire the frescoes from Giotto , Cimabue, Martini all representing the life of the Saint. Saint Clara church, the Basilica di Santa Maria degli Angeli just outside the town, the Temple of Minerva, Rocca Maggiore.

If you look to enjoy some time between art but also nature, just above Assisi is the natural park of Monte Subasio, where you can experience some trekking and other . The landscape from there is speechless. The food: the typical food here are the Mostaccioli of St. Francis – a sort of cookie made with wine cooked must.

NATURE ACTIVITIES
Monte Cucco Park includes the northern-eastern territory behind Gubbio delimited by the ridge of the Apennines among which Montain Cucco stands out (1,566 metres). Mt. Cucco Park is very green. The luxuriance and vastness of the high-trunk tree woods almost entirely covering the eastern slope of the Park includes centuries-old specimens of beech tree, maple, ilex tree, chestnut tree and yews.

Extraordinarily there are also some specimens of silver fir, an autochthonous evidence of the ancient forests of the Apennines. The particular climate of the area creates the perfect wind conditions for paragliding or hang-gliding activities.

All year round it’s possible to practice hiking, trekking or mountain biking along the 120kms marked trails. You can also visit the cave called “Grotta del Monte Cucco” which is more than 30 kms. long and more than 900 metres deep. It is one of the most important underground systems in Europe and is definitely one of the most studied caves in the world.

TRUFFLE HUNTING
The overabundance of “Truffle Plants” inside the 600 acres estate of Castello di Petroia and the right climate and landform, create the perfect conditions for the growth of the Truffle. Underground, close to Oak and hazel trees, our incredible dog finds the Umbrian most well-known product – the delicious black Truffle.

The young truffle hunter, Jassine, knows the places where truffles usually grow, so called “Tartufaie”. The inseparable dog Stella, a beautiful female specimen of Kurzhaar, completes the work digging precisely where the noble product lays.

In the evening the fresh truffles are brought to our Chef who will prepare a delicious dinner for you, enhancing all its extraordinary qualities. The Truffle Hunt experience is an opportunity for a pleasant walk through fields and woods inside Castello di Petroia.

AUTUMN TIME FOR OLIVE OIL
When the colours of the surrounding woods begin to shade into yellow, red and orange it is time for us to start harvesting a precious fruit – the olives. Through the windows of the Castle you can admire the spectacular autumn scenery while tasting the new Extra-virgin Olive Oil, together with the typical toasted bread “Bruschetta”, sitting in front of our centenary fireplaces.

In your room you will find some delicious Olive Oil chocolates and an unforgettable gift, a bottle of our “L’oro de Petroja”. You can also feel the relaxing benefit of the Olive Oil directly on your skin – ask for a private ensuite room Massage – the warm olive oil will relieve you from stress, pains and neck, shoulders or back stiffness.

MONTEFALCO WINE TOUR
Whether you love red, white or dessert wine, the Montefalco wine area nearby is the perfect wine-growing place to explore. Home of the Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG (native vineyard), here you can find a good quality production of other varieties as well, such as Grechetto and Trebbiano white DOCG and sweet wine like Sagrantino Passito.

We offer you a tailor made experience guided by the English wine expert Mark. He’s a native from Great Britain, who decided to live in Umbria with his family and share his passion for wine with others.

Rooms: 13

Price: from 177 EUR per night

Source: www.petroia.it