Ancaiano, Siena, Tuscany, Italy · Entire Private Estate · 13 Bedrooms · 16 Guests
The most celebrated private estate near Siena — a 17th-century Baroque villa built by Cardinal Flavio Chigi for Pope Alexander VII, with gardens that Edith Wharton described as among the finest in Italy. 13 named bedrooms across four floors, world-famous formal gardens with a cypress allée, the Romitorio hermitage on the hill, the Thebaid holy wood, a heated pool, tennis court, and private chef. Featured in the finale of Succession Season 3.
Villa Cetinale was begun in 1651 under Cardinal Fabio Chigi, who later became Pope Alexander VII. The villa was completed in 1680 by the Pope's nephew Cardinal Flavio Chigi, who commissioned the architect Carlo Fontana — a pupil of Bernini — to redesign the villa in the Roman Baroque style and plan the formal gardens. The estate fell into ruin after centuries of changing ownership, until British aristocrat Antony Lambton acquired it in 1977 and spent nearly three decades meticulously restoring the villa and its celebrated gardens, dying in Siena in 2006.
The 17th-century gardens at Villa Cetinale are amongst the most celebrated in Italy. Edith Wharton included Cetinale in her 1904 book Italian Villas and Their Gardens, and the property appeared on the cover of the 1997 follow-up by Vivian Russell. The primary garden axis extends from a monumental Hercules statue at the southern end, through the formal garden and villa, up 300 stone steps through the Thebaid holy wood to the Romitorio hermitage on the hill above. Seven votive chapels, sixteen full-length baroque statues, and 29 busts are distributed throughout the estate.
The villa accommodates up to 16 guests in 13 named bedrooms across four floors. Vine-covered pergolas, clipped box hedges, cypress and olive trees, irises, roses, and wisteria characterise the season gardens. The estate has been sought after by celebrities, artists, and aristocratic groups — and was featured in the season three finale of HBO's Succession. A private chef, full housekeeping team, tennis court, heated pool, and gym are included.
Villa Cetinale is rented exclusively as a complete private estate — no shared facilities, no other guests. The villa's 13 bedrooms are named after colours (Purple, Gold, Silver, Yellow, Red, Blue, Brown, Ivory, White, Amber, Grey, Green, Scarlet) and are distributed across four floors. Six rooms have double beds with en-suite bathrooms. The central drawing room has an open fire, stone floors, vaulted ceilings, and French doors. A loggia with marble dining tables opens onto the formal garden.
The heated outdoor swimming pool is set within the estate gardens. A tennis court, gym, and table tennis are included. The estate has multiple outdoor dining locations — from formal loggia dining to alfresco lunches in the garden, wine tastings in the cantina, and picnics in the Thebaid holy wood. Penelope Hobhouse, the internationally acclaimed garden designer, called Cetinale "the epitome of garden design".
Villa Cetinale has no restaurant and no fixed menus. A private chef designs all meals in consultation with the group before arrival. The estate loggia with marble tables is the principal formal dining venue — opening onto the formal garden with views toward the Tuscan hills. Alfresco lunches are served in the garden or by the pool. The estate wine cellar holds a curated selection of Tuscan wines available on a price list.
Tuscan countryside cuisine is the speciality — seasonal vegetables from the estate gardens and nearby farms, wild boar from the surrounding Montagnola Senese hills, fresh pasta, ribollita, pici, and Chianti Classico from the neighbouring wine estates. Private wine tasting experiences can be arranged at nearby Chianti vineyards through the estate concierge.
Four nights at Villa Cetinale — Cardinal Chigi's 17th-century baroque estate near Siena, with world-famous gardens, a Romitorio hermitage on the hill, and the Thebaid holy wood. Chianti wine tasting. Private guide to Siena. The loggia at dinner. Morning mist on the cypress allée.
All packages are fully customisable. Contact your Richseen specialist for tailored inclusions.
Villa Cetinale has been called "the epitome of garden design" by Penelope Hobhouse. Edith Wharton described it in 1904. Cardinal Chigi held 15-day hunting parties here in the 17th century. The Palio of Siena was run in the Thebaid seven times because of rioting in the city. The hermitage on the hill was once inhabited by monks. The cedar allée was planted before any living person was born. Thirteen bedrooms, each named after a colour. One private chef. A wine cellar. And 14 kilometres to Siena.
A 4-night exclusive stay at Villa Cetinale — Cardinal Chigi's 1680 baroque estate, 14km from Siena. 13 named bedrooms across four floors. Private chef. The world-famous formal gardens with their cypress allée. The Thebaid holy wood. The Romitorio hermitage on the hill. Chianti wine tasting. A private guide to Siena.
Morning mist on the cypress allée. Wild boar from the Montagnola Senese hills. Fresh pasta on the marble loggia. A candlelit farewell dinner. The most beautiful estate near Siena.
All components are fully flexible — refined with your Richseen specialist prior to confirmation.