As Mary Shelley once said, ‘the name of Italy has magic in its very syllables’, a sentiment visitors begin to understand as they reach the perimeter of the grounds. A cool mist swells among the contours of the valley, the very same that has refreshed residents since the site’s conception during the Roman Empire. Thousands of years later, instead of a fierce fortification piercing the shroud, an elegant estate commands the landscape from atop a hill and looks out across the unblemished landscape. Aside from birdsong and a gentle breeze, all is quiet at the Reschio Estate.

The name Reschio is said to derive from the Latin, resculum, meaning fortification. An antique figurine found on the site suggests the area was once ruled by the Etruscans and a fascinating timeline featuring the Romans, Charlemagne and influential noble families has led to the site as we know it today. Incorporating an ancient castle and some 50 abandoned farmhouses, the Reschio Estate was purchased by Count and Countess Antonio Bolza who found it in disrepair in the early 1980s. Their son, Count Benedikt, and his family have renovated the 1,500-hectare site into a contemporary historic hideaway within the expansive Italian countryside.

The castle has been transformed into the striking 36-room Hotel Castello di Reschio and the myriad farmhouses are in the process of being renovated, with more than half now serving as delightful villas. Benedikt Bolza – whom Architectural Digest sees as ‘one of the top 100 architects currently working in architecture and design’ – explains that ‘the design should feel like you are walking into somewhere that suits you perfectly, that you have known for years but still holds surprises…’. It is no surprise that Reschio was awarded Hotel of the Year 2022 by Tatler.

The castle itself dates to 1050 but has been renovated to meet the needs of today’s traveller. The design incorporates fin-de-siècle trends and art déco motifs tied together by the timeless quality of the property. Each room boasts striking views of the garden courtyard and the rolling hills that surround the estate. Custom-designed furniture, antiques and sculptures as well as the remainders of some original design elements stay true to the property’s history and encourage guests to appreciate its rich heritage. Charming, exposed beams wend their way across the ceilings and are complemented by the ambient tones of warm-hued bed frames and design motifs. This is the height of old-world Italian glamour.

Perhaps the most extravagant (and largest) area of all is the Tower Suite, located in the oldest part of the castle (dating back to 900 AD). Two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, a study and a private roof garden are spread across five floors and make for the ideal sanctuary from which guests can enjoy show-stopping 360° views across the castle grounds and extended landscape. As with the other rooms within the property, the Tower Suite comes with high-speed wifi, breakfast and an in-room bar.

The aptly named Ristorante Al Castello spans the western ramparts of the castle and offers guests the chance to enjoy their meal beneath a tranquil sunset. Here, traditional and locally sourced food – often using ingredients grown on the estate – grace the plates of diners and glorious flavours are redolent of classic Italian specialities with a contemporary twist. The à la carte menu presents dishes including partridge ravioli with cocoa, Norcia black truffle, borage and black shallot; and ricotta cheese spheres with freshwater prawns, parsley root pesto and black garlic.

The Ristorante Alle Scuderie’s impressive hand-crafted furniture is arranged under towering ceilings. Fern trees soar to the top of the room and add a splash of colour to match the green hues of the chairs. Elegant light fixtures and twinkling glasses echo the delicious sense of grandeur that runs through the property. Guests can enjoy dishes including grilled fennel salad with raisins, pine nuts, spinach, Val Nerina trout and wild herb sauce; and marinated duck breast with grilled pear, rice chips, scapece zucchini and grapefruit. There is so much to explore in the flavours. Next to the Ristorante Alle Scuderie is the Accademia di Cucina della Bottega, where guests can forage within the estate for delicious ingredients to be cooked during one of the classes. 

The Reschio Estate is not without activities – whether relaxing or energetic. Count Antonio Bolza founded the on-site stables in 1999, which are now home to more than 40 purebred Spanish horses, some of the world’s most skilled in dressage. The powerful and intelligent creatures can be ridden on trips into the surrounding countryside or admired during one of Reschio’s weekly dressage performances. The estate is also home to Astroturf tennis courts that are available for hire or lessons, and bicycles can be rented to explore the grounds and surrounding areas. For a more leisurely activity, guests can soak in the inviting outdoor swimming pool and bathhouse or peruse Bottega di Reschio, the estate shop showcasing local products including honey, olive oil and eggs, as well as practical items including watercolours, notebooks and gardening equipment. The calm and twinkling lake at Reschio can be taken in from the waterside cabin or guests can enjoy an Italian classic at the outdoor cinema located in the Teatro Equestre. The surrounding towns of Assisi, Arezzo, Cortona, Gubbio, Perugia and Siena are not to be neglected.

Mary Shelley’s words certainly ring true of the Reschio Estate. Italian magic bounces off its ancient walls and guests are met with an overwhelming sense of peace and tranquility; from the dizzying heights of the Tower Suite to the depths of the secluded swimming pool, one doesn’t have to look far for this feeling.