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The History of Cafaggio Introduction | The Castle | The Estate The high tower of the Castello di Cafaggio dominates the hillside of vineyards, olive groves and woodland, at 350 metres above sea level. It has a 360 degree view across the towns of Impruneta and San Casciano and onto the Greve valley. The villa dates back to 1300 and has seen the vicissitudes of various families. It became the property of the Benci family in the mid eighteenth century and numbers among its many famous guests Giacomo Puccini (who particularly enjoyed the hunting the estate had to offer.) The woodlands extend for over 100 hectares and are a source of highly prized cypress wood as well as a great variety of wild flowers, plants, mushrooms and wildlife. Until the last century, the main house, farmhouses and outbuildings (which include a sawmill, flour mill, olive press, vat rooms, wine and vinsanto cellars, granary, silk driers, iron forge, chicken coops, livestock stalls and pigsties) constituted a small, self-sufficient hamlet. Here peasants and artisans produced and cultivated those products necessary for the survival and wellbeing of the entire community: ranging from wine, vinsanto, olive oil, honey, silk, soap, firewood, agricultural equipment, to livestock. Around 1920 the estate was enriched by the cultivation of irises, from the roots of which were prepared extracts used in the production of face powder and perfume. All holy rites were celebrated in the family Chapel, including the community's weddings and funerals. During the Second World War, due to its important strategic position, the Castle was requisitioned by enemy forces. On their retreat it was set on fire, and only due to the courageous help of local people was the fire contained and the damage limited. Today there are just two families of farm workers left on the estate, but the property retains many signs of its former life and the various activities carried out there.	"Playing checkers" "Florentine lily worker" "Musical moments in the Castle"
Castello di Cafaggio - Via del Ferrone, 58 - 50023 Impruneta, Firenze - Tel.+39 055 2012085 - Fax.+39 055 2314633 - Email: info@cafaggio.com