THE HISTORY OF HOTEL "IL PICCOLO CASTELLO"

About 800 years ago, the people of Siena founded the village of Monteriggioni. Surrounded by walls 570 metres long and 12 metres high, this village served as the vanguard for the defence of the city. 800 years later at Monteriggioni is born the vanguard of comfort and relaxation. The hotel Il Piccolo Castello is a four-star jewel immersed in more than two acres of parkland, situated only one kilometre away from the castle walls. What differentiates this small hotel of only 50 rooms from all others is the style in which it has been realised. Within a modern and functional structure, with systems like those of an international resort, beats the heart of the pure Sienese neo-classical style of the 19th century. The interior decor follows the style of the neo-classical Sienese architect Agostino Fantastici, who in the 19th century left behind in this land many tangible signs of his work. The entire atmosphere, from the entrance hall to the breakfast room to the sitting rooms, is dominated by this style, which together with original pieces creates a truly striking effect.

THE HISTORY OF MONTERIGGIONI (SIENA)

Until the XI century Monteriggioni was a station of standstill on the Francigena Road in Tuscany. Siena transformed Monteriggioni in the imposing Fortress to protection of the boundary north in the wars against the anemy Florence. Inside Monteriggioni there were in XIV century beyond 150 families with about 600 inhabitant, with also ... the Bonaccorso of Cafferello. The wall was arised since 1213 (see the headstone on the Romea Gate) until 1219 and then they strengthen in varied years (1260, 1279) until the 1545. The wall up of Monteriggioni are long beyond 500 meters, tall twenty meters and surrounded from 14 towers to square base. The Fortress in the beyond two hundred years "of use" spent of hand between Florence and Siena. But, in the 1554 Monteriggioni was sell, without fight, from the traitor Florentine Giovannino Zeti to the Imperial troops commands from the Marquis of Maragliano.

THE HISTORY OF RESTAURANT "LA DUCARECCIA"

Where now rises the Restaurant La Ducareccia and the Hotel Il Piccolo Castello, in the centuries from 1200 to 1500 stayed the encampments of the soldiers who garrisoned the crossing of the roads that the Castle of Monteriggioni dominated. Between the people still circulates the legend of the "Ducareccia", a feminine figure living in the encampment who protected the salvation of the soldiers with her magical limbs through rituals and amulets. The Ducareccia dispensed spring water (now a fountain) and checked its purity, she took care of the gardens with the medical grass and one of her task was to supervise to the food estimating the quality.