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Meleto CastleThe Meleto Castle was built as site of the monks belonging to the Vallumbrosan Order of the nearby Abbey of Coltibuono, and later contended for a long time between the provinces of Siena and Florence, thanks to the strategic position, overlooking the linking road between Chianti and Upper Valdarno. In spite of the several restyling works made in order to turn the building into a residential villa, has preserved the original military look – with irregular quadrilateral plant and sighting tower at the centre. The Meleto Castle was considered the last fortified military fortification in that area being part of the Terziere and a member of the Chianti League with Gaiole as the headquarters. In 1269, the Florentine Guelphs saw damage to the castle by the Ghibellines in the Battle of Montaperti. This was recorded in the prestigious 'Libro degli Estimi' and from then on was considered the property belonging to the Rainerji de Ricasolis. Always in the middle of bloody battles, the Meleto Castle was considerably destroyed by enemies but fortunately never razed to the ground. It was partially dismantled to make the current villa, during the first half of the eighteenth century and still has the furnishings of the time, like the puppet theatre dated back to 1742, provided with original scenographies. Nowadays the castle is owned by a wine company, that organizes tours of the construction and wine tasting.
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