Castello di Santa Cristina

Located in Southern Tuscany, one and a half hours from Rome, half way between Orvieto and Siena, closely bordering with the regions of Umbria and Tuscany, the breathtakingly splendid 17th century castle, Castello di Santa Cristina, (complete with fairytale turret) has been the property of the noble Caterini family for generations. Just below the castle stands a handsome 18th Century farmhouse, the original centre of the estate’s farming activities. Over the past ten years the ivy-covered farmhouse has been skillfully converted with careful attention in conserving authenticity together with comfort and privacy, in a pleasant combination with communal living.

The very large fattoria, now contains eight charming apartments and 14 bedrooms B&B, furnished with original pieces. The ground floor of the farm house opens onto the main terrace, which overlooks the swimming pool. On the ground floor, there is a large “taverna” with brick vaulted ceilings. The space is divided into three main areas: dining room, billiard room, ping-pong room, plus a large kitchen available for all the guests and equipped for cooking courses. Our Castle is just 9 km away from the lake Bolsena. The Etruscan Lake Bolsena is the largest volcanic lake in Europe. It has a 60 km perimeter and 170 meters of depth, and with 2 beautiful islands in the middle. It is a fantastic place for water sports or exploring on a rented boat. On the beach of Capodimonte, an enchanting ancient village which is surrounded by a fortress, you can rent boats and discover the mystery of these wondrous islands. Or you may wish to simply enjoy the crystal clear waters of Capodimonte as you take an afternoon stroll across the bay.

From a boat, the Renaissance church, the magnificent gardens of the Bisentina island and Martina island are visible. You can also view the Bisenzio promontory, this was the centre of the ancient Vesentum, in which the vast Necropolis brought to light treasures of the Neolithic, Villanovian, Etruscan and Roman Age. Along your travels, you may be tempted to stop at many beautiful spots for a swim in the warm waters of Lake Bolsena. Simply stop your engine, cast the anchor and dive in. At the other side of the lake, lies the small port of Bolsena. You can visit this pleasant tourist town and walk through the medieval alleys of the town’s centre. A splendid Castle overlooks the lake from the top of the hill. The castle is the home of Lake Bolsena’s Museum. There you can feast your eyes on archaeological finds and interesting panels, which narrate the lake’s history and it’s various civilizations.

A perfect location for family holidays where you can explore the various neighboring historic towns including Orvieto, Sorano, Acquapendente and Grotte Di Castro. We offer sensational Tuscan cuisine, fantastic cooking courses and unique weddings in the castle grounds. The Castello di Santa Cristina is also an ideal place for a horse riding holiday. On our exciting trail excursions, we travel as far as Proceno, Lake Bolsena and to the beautiful nature reserve Selva Del Lamone. Riding lessons are something you should not miss when on a holiday with children.