La nostra regione è uno dei gioielli culinari d’Italia. 

Grazie alle sue delizie gastronomiche è capace infatti di incantare i visitatori non solo con i suoi paesaggi mozzafiato e con le sue città d’arte ricche di storia e di cultura, ma anche con la sua tradizione culinaria. Il cibo in Toscana non è solo nutrimento, è cultura, vita, celebrazione della tradizione.

A Gargonza siamo convinti che l’enogastronomia sia una parte fondamentale di chi vive un’esperienza nel castello. Per questo abbiamo selezionato una serie di produttori locali d’eccellenza e di prodotti tipici di Toscana che ben rappresentano la nostra storia e la nostra cultura gastronomica.

Dal prosciutto salato alla finocchiona (un tipico salume di carne suina arricchito con semi di finocchio), passando per pecorini, formaggi freschi e vini rossi strutturati e robusti: a Gargonza ti offriamo un viaggio tra i sapori dei prodotti tipici di Toscana, in un contesto magico e affascinante.

Prodotti tipici di Toscana: cosa troverai a Gargonza

Nella nostra bottega offriamo degustazioni guidate di prodotti tipici di Toscana provenienti dal territorio che ci circonda. Amiamo andare alla ricerca dei produttori locali che lavorano con passione le migliori materie prime e ci teniamo a farti assaggiare i prodotti che noi consideriamo migliori. Ai piedi della maestosa torre trecentesca, potrai assaporare formaggi, salumi, vini e altre specialità toscane che abbiamo accuratamente selezionato.

Ecco qualche assaggio di quello che possiamo offrirti.

Salumi da animali allevati allo stato brado

I salumi che offriamo nelle nostre degustazioni arrivano principalmente dall’Azienda Agricola Basagni di Monte San Savino. L’azienda alleva suini allo stato brado, che vivono in libertà e si nutrono di ciò che la natura gli offre, per poi essere trasformati in salami, prosciutti e altri deliziosi salumi di eccellenza. La lavorazione artigianale non prevede inoltre l’aggiunta di fosfati aggiunti, per mantenere il gusto e l’aroma delle carni intatto.

Formaggi pluripremiati e ricchi di sapore

Tutti i formaggi che utilizziamo, non solo per le degustazioni ma anche nella cucina del nostro ristorante, arrivano dall’azienda di Andrea De’ Magi. Andrea, con il quale collaboriamo da tempo, è un pluripremiato affinatore che seleziona le migliori forme di formaggi a latte crudo e pastorizzato. Potrai assaggiare formaggi di capra, di pecora e di latte vaccino, che vengono fatti stagionare e affinare nell’azienda di Castiglion Fiorentino. Qui assumono il loro sapore e la loro consistenza caratteristica: sentirai il vero sapore del latte e della stagionatura fatta come una volta.

Vieni ad assaggiare i prodotti tipici di Toscana a Gargonza

Ovviamente salumi e formaggi saranno accompagnati da pane tipico toscano (senza sale, rigorosamente!) e da un bicchiere di vino rosso locale. Le aziende vinicole che abbiamo selezionato si trovano tutte in Toscana e le abbiamo scelte proprio perché i loro vini sono in grado di accompagnare ed esaltare al meglio le proposte gastronomiche.

Per esigenze particolari, possiamo inoltre preparare del pane e della schiacciata senza glutine per accompagnare salumi e formaggi.

Se vuoi prenotare una degustazione di prodotti tipici di Toscana a Gargonza, puoi scriverci e saremo felici di organizzarne una personalizzata per te.

Scrivici!

Evocative and majestic, Gargonza is an ancient castle in Tuscany that has kept intact all the charm of medieval times. Thanks to the continuous restoration works and careful maintenance of it over all these years, walking through the streets of the village and entering the castle of Gargonza is a bit like stepping back in time.

In this article we retrace its centuries-old history of the village and the castle: it will be a truly fascinating journey through time.

The history of Gargonza over the centuries

It seems that the castle of Gargonza was built as a defensive structure around the 11th century. Specifically, the earliest records date back to exactly 1150: at that time, there was talk of a fortified castle on the road between Arezzo and Siena.

Over the years, Gargonza was transformed into a village where people were mainly engaged in wool processing and the care of the surrounding woods. In the seventeenth century, the castle would later be enlarged with a full-fledged farm: covering an area of about 900 hectares, the surrounding land was organized to be conducted on a sharecropping basis. Gargonza’s agricultural vocation lasted until the early 20th century.

After 300 years of flourishing agricultural life in the community, Gargonza was abandoned by its inhabitants but fortunately did not go into decline.

The Guicciardini Corsi Salviati family and the castle in Tuscany

The Corsi Salviati family has been the historic owner of Gargonza Castle since as far back as 1696, and since then has always dedicated itself to maintaining the original condition of the castle and village.

When Marquis Bardo Corsi Salviati died, all his property passed to Count Giulio Guicciardini, who added his surname to that of the original family. However, we are in the early 1900s, in the midst of a rural exodus: the hamlet is abandoned but one of the Count’s 8 sons, Roberto Guicciardini Corsi Salviati, chose to devote himself completely to the conservative restoration of the castle. The village was reborn and, from the 1960s, the houses and agricultural outbuildings were also restored. Gargonza was thus transformed into an accommodation facility, one of the very first in the region and in all of Italy, becoming a castle in Tuscany where people could stay as well as visit.

To this day, the castle of Gargonza is still owned by the Guicciardini Corsi Salviati family: it is the Count’s heirs, Neri and his wife Elisa, who carry on the activities of the hamlet and also the conservation and maintenance work, with the aim of preserving the hamlet’s medieval soul and appearance.

More than a castle in Tuscany, a real village

Gargonza is thus not just a castle in Tuscany but an entire medieval village. Around the tower there are stone-paved alleys along which we find numerous buildings maintained exactly as they were in medieval times: small peasant houses, with wooden beams and stone walls, have been converted into rooms and apartments that keep the medieval atmosphere intact.

Protecting the village we still find the original walls, preserved with great care.

What you will find today within the walls of Gargonza is therefore a perfectly preserved castle in Tuscany, a charming village and a luxury accommodation facility.

Want to visit Gargonza or book a stay in the castle?

Contact us!

Tuscany in the summer is not just about sea, beach and sun.

For those who do not like to find themselves in the heat among the crowds vying for a place on the shore, or simply for those who want to spend a different day than usual, there are many alternatives. Summer vacation in Tuscany can be fun but also interesting, rich in culture and relaxing.

In this article we give you three alternatives to experience Tuscany in the summer even while staying away from the beaches!

What to do in Tuscany in the summer without going to the beach?

Summer in Tuscany offers a thousand opportunities to immerse yourself in the history, culture and art of this land. You will discover hidden treasures and enjoy the tranquility of nature away from the crowds of beaches.

Here are three ideas for your summer vacation in Tuscany.

Casentino Forest National Park, for the adventurous

If what you are looking for is an experience in direct contact with nature, a day in the Casentino Forests National Park is ideal.

We are in the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines and the view is one of endless forests of beech, oak and fir trees, which provide pleasant shade and a cool breeze even on the sultriest summer days in Tuscany.

The Park of the Casentino Forests is dotted with more or less challenging trails, which will allow you to delve into the most unspoiled nature and discover truly evocative landscapes. Streams flowing between rocks and waterfalls, small natural lakes and ancient monasteries hidden in the woods. And as you walk, you might catch a glimpse of some wild animals living free in these forests.

All you have to do is to choose from the many trails of different lengths and difficulties and set off to discover the Tuscan nature.

Spas, for relaxation and refreshment

If you don’t like the sea, you better know that this is not the just way to have a dip. In fact, Tuscany is full of natural spas that allow you to cool off and relax without the stress of the beach. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, surrounded by lush hills and extensive vineyards, Tuscan spas offer the perfect opportunity to completely unplug.

Spa facilities feature outdoor and indoor pools, with more or less warm waters rich in minerals valuable to our well-being. In addition, most facilities offer many rejuvenating treatments and therapies such as massages, mud baths, saunas and whirlpools, designed to regenerate the body and mind. There is nothing better than experiencing a hot Tuscan summer day splashing around in rejuvenating waters.

If you want to learn about some of the most renowned spas in Tuscany, read this article.

The Val d’Orcia, a UNESCO World Heritage Site to explore

The Val d’Orcia is a Unesco World Heritage region, and you only need to take a look at the views it offers to understand why! Rolling hills full of golden wheat alternate with rows of cypress trees on the horizon and vineyards as far as the eye can see, making for an evocative backdrop that has become the epitome of postcards from the Tuscan countryside.

Don’t let the heat discourage you because, apart from the drive, this area enjoys shady avenues and a gentle breeze that makes even the sultriest of days bear up without a problem. In addition, the small medieval villages that are scattered throughout the Val d’Orcia provide a cool respite from the heat of the Tuscan summer: shady alleys and stone buildings keep the air cool and make for pleasant walks.

The ideal way to visit the Val d’Orcia during your summer vacation in Tuscany is to prepare an itinerary made up of several medieval villages, perhaps a winery with wine tasting and a typical restaurant where you can enjoy Tuscan cuisine. Between stops, you can enjoy the beautiful landscapes.

Summer vacation in Tuscany: where to stay

During your summer stay in Tuscany, you can sleep at Castello di Gargonza.

We are located halfway between Arezzo and Siena, so in a strategic position to reach Casentino, Val d’Orcia and some of the most renowned spas in the region.

Our hamlet has remained intact as it was in the Middle Ages, with its newly restored tower, cobblestone alleys and numerous houses that are now classic or superior rooms and apartments with every comfort. You will be cool, surrounded by the woods of the Val di Chiana, and you will have a store with typical products, a rich breakfast and a restaurant offering Tuscan cuisine.

What are you waiting for to plan your summer vacation in Tuscany?

Book a room now!