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Historical notes
Palazzo Malaspina is located
in San Donnato in Poggio. The
town, founded in Roman times, was the principal
fortification of the area, serving to defend the
Roman road that led from Florence to Siena. The
“castrum” (military fortress), which
in the year 1033 belonged to the family of Count
Guidi, became autonomous during the era of the
communes. Lying between the cities of Florence
and Siena, who were eternally vying for supremacy
over the territory, San Donato was frequently
the scene of important events, such as the gathering
of the Florentine army, in 1260, prior to the
Battle of Montaperti against the Republic of Siena.
The town was destroyed in 1289 by the Ghibellines
of Arezzo and subsequently rebuilt with a typical
protective wall encircling it. Portions of the
outer wall surrounding the original town are still
standing. Of particular interest are the Florentine
Gate and the Sienese Gate, each with a scarp tower,
as well as numerous turrets, including a bell
tower and the so-called “little tower”
which overlooks the valley. Within the oldest
section of the inner town one can still admire
the urban structure of the medieval burg, with
narrow streets winding up and down among the thirteenth-century
dwellings. Also in this central core of the town
are the main town square (Piazza Malaspina), the
public cistern, Palazzo Pretorio and the Romanesque
church of Santa Maria della Neve.
Around the year 1000, outside
the walls of San Donato, a parish church in the
Tuscan Romanesque style was built, featuring three
naves and three semicircular apses. The interior
of the church is graced by a baptismal font in
glazed terracotta, the work of Giovanni della
Robbia (1513) and a crucifix attributed to Taddeo
Gaddi.
Palazzo Malaspina is located
in the central town square. Built in the late
Renaissance, the building stands in the very spot
where the homes and shops of the original fortification
once stood. The Palazzo is a living monument to
another era, housing inside its walls relics and
long-forgotten secrets of the past. Once owned
by the noble Ticci and Malaspina families, since
the nineteenth century it has belonged to the
Pellizzari family. Rooms and rates
Rooms
The palazzo has been tastefully restored by the
Pellizzari family with great attention
to detail in order to preserve the characteristic
elegance of the establishment.
Palazzo Malaspina offers 5 double guest
rooms:
- two double rooms, bath without
hydromassage, have panoramic terrace with view
over the unforgettable Tuscan Landscape.
- one twin bedroom, bath with hydromassage, has
view over the town square allowing guests to admire
the relaxed lifestyle of the medieval town.
- one double room with a big bath with hydromassage
has view over the town square allowing guests
to admire the relaxed lifestyle of the medieval
town. Cradle for kids until 3 years.
- one room (twin or double as you request), bath
with hydromassage, has view over medieval town
and street of San Donato. Extra-bed available
on request (for children until 10 years).
The five double guest rooms have been decorated
with precious fabrics by Busatti
of Anghiari and with family antiques,
creating a sense of individuality and the warmth
of a private home. The color scheme of each room
reflects a typical hue of the Tuscan landscape,
from the yellow of broom bushes to the pale blue
of lavender.
Cribs (free) and children’s beds (€
30) are available on request.
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