Set in the midst of a sprawling wooded estate, Sammezzano Castle occupies the same spot as a royal palazzo first established in 1605 by a Spanish nobleman named Ximenes of Aragon. Long-lasting though it was, the original was deemed unfit by Marquis Ferdinando Ximenes Panciatichi, who in 1853 undertook a complete rebuild of the site.
This historically overlooked marquis retreated from Florence’s increasingly toxic political climate and decided to hire artisans to construct his ideal retreat in the form of what is now known as Sammezzano Castle. It was built entirely on-site over the course of 40 years.
Wandering through the castle, it’s clear just how far the marquis went to make sure his architecture let visitors feel utterly transported from their everyday lives. Embedded in the walls is the motto Non plus ultra, “nothing farther beyond,” a reference to the uniqueness and originality of his creation. Though no two rooms are alike, among the most jaw-dropping are the Room of the Lilies, the Room of the Lovers, the Room of the Stalactites, the Room of the Mirrors, and the Room of the Peacocks.
After the marquis’ death, Sammezzano was converted into a luxury hotel. The castle’s commercial venture thrived in the post-World War II era, but as revenues dwindled, the hotel was shuttered and subsequently abandoned in the 1990s.
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Where is Sammezzano located?
Less than 40 kilometres south of central Florence, in Leccio in the municipality of Reggello, lies the amazing, dreamlike castle of Sammezzano. Surrounded by an oak grove and perched on top of a hill, the abandoned Sammezzano Castle is an extravagant residence beyond compare.
We stepped out into the moonlit glade. A herd of wild pigs fled into the thicket when they heard our steps. We stood open-mouthed, gazing at the majestic abandoned castle, the most beautiful urbex site I have ever visited in my life.
At the moment, the castle stands closed, awaiting restoration, and it is almost impossible to get inside with an official group. So, at night, we found a hole and sneaked inside. It’s hard to explain how deeply you can connect with art inside an abandoned castle, walking through endless rooms buried in the dust of ages.
A great deal of furniture had been preserved from ancient times.
Within these spaces are hidden niches, corners, windows, columns, labyrinthine paths, capitals, arches, vaults and domes. Above one archway stand out the words “Non Plus Ultra” (meaning “the highest point or culmination”), which in Greek mythology was a warning that marked the edge of a flat world for explorers, perhaps conveying the architect’s vision of taking visitors literally out of this world with jaw-dropping interiors.
Lost in contemplation of all this beauty, we let our guard down and failed to notice the alarm sensors. This photo was never finished. We left this beautiful place in a hurry.
