Castello di Verrazzano historical timeline

The 13th century. The castle perhaps arose as a guardingo — a watch-post — of which a crenellated tower of the Duecento remains.

Late 15th to early 16th century. The castle as such was built. This bracket matters for what follows: it overlaps the birth below rather than preceding it.

1485. In the castle, property of the noble Florentine family Da Verrazzano, was born Giovanni da Verrazzano, the explorer and navigator.

Afterwards. The building transformed into a so-called casa da signore — the intermediate form between a fortified house and a villa, when defence stopped being the point and display started.

The 17th century. It became a classic villa with a Tuscan farm, surrounded by an Italian garden. The estate's present character dates from here: a house, a farm and a formal garden conceived together.

Since. The chapel annexed to the castle keeps its Ghirlandaio Eterno Padre, and the estate works as a wine producer, receiving visitors by arrangement in its gardens and historic cellars.

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