The Rebirth of Sammezzano Castle
After 30 Years of Silence, a New Chapter Begins for Europe’s Masterpiece of Orientalism
After three decades of abandonment, the iconic Sammezzano Castle in Leccio, Reggello, is finally coming back to life. A symbol of European orientalism and architectural eclecticism, the castle has officially entered its long-awaited phase of structural safety works, marking the first tangible step toward its full restoration and revival.
The ambitious project—initiated in early September and led by the Moretti Family—aims not only to safeguard the castle’s structure but also to restore its historical, artistic, and natural legacy.
“Sammezzano is a dream—first and foremost, a dream of values,” says Ginevra Moretti, CEO of SMZ srl. “For us, it represents a concrete commitment to protecting one of the few remaining examples of oriental and eclectic architecture in Europe. Our immediate goal is to ensure the castle’s safety, followed by the administrative and operational steps needed to open the main floor as a museum, together with the monumental park. We want to return this treasure to the community.”
The vision for Sammezzano goes beyond restoration—it embraces experience, hospitality, and cultural exchange, in harmony with the castle’s historic vocation as a place of encounter and beauty.
As Maximillian Fane, who oversees the restoration’s environmental and botanical aspects, explains:
“We want to create high-level cultural experiences that coexist with the castle’s museal nature and with our commitment to protecting its monumental park. This balance between culture and conservation is at the heart of our mission.”
Supporting the initiative is Giorgio Moretti, who shares his family’s deep emotional connection to the project:
“I’ve always felt a duty to protect the beauty of my city and its surroundings. Sammezzano is a dream that we, as citizens, have pursued for years—a place that has always enchanted us. To finally begin this process, after so much uncertainty, fills us with pride and, above all, responsibility. Today marks the beginning of Sammezzano’s rebirth—a chance to give life, dignity, and a future back to a unique treasure that has been forgotten for too long. It’s a heritage that belongs to everyone, one that everyone should have the privilege to visit at least once in their lifetime.”
With the safety works underway and a dedicated team shaping the next phases, the rebirth of Sammezzano Castle is no longer just a dream—it’s becoming a reality. The Moretti Family’s commitment, both financial and operational, ensures that Sammezzano will once again become a living cultural landmark: protected, accessible, and open to the world.
Nestled on a wooded hill outside the Tuscan village of Leccio (in the municipality of Reggello), Castello di Sammezzano is a 17th-century palace which, during the mid-19th century under the stewardship of the Marquis Ferdinando Panciatichi Ximenes d’Aragona, was transformed into one of Europe’s most extraordinary examples of Moorish Revival and Orientalist architecture. With around 365 uniquely decorated rooms (one for each day of the year), the interior dazzles with a kaleidoscope of colored tiles, intricate stucco, muqarnas ceilings and majestic horseshoe arches — each room bearing its own name and character. Outside, the castle is surrounded by one of Tuscany’s most expansive historic parks, once planted with exotic species and now notable for its majestic giant sequoias and other rare trees.The effect is a dream-like fusion of Tuscan setting and eastern fantasy — a place that feels like a gateway to another world, yet remains firmly rooted in the Italian landscape.
To stay updated on the restoration progress and future openings of Sammezzano Castle, visit our website and follow the journey as we bring this extraordinary place back to life.
