Sarah LesslerDeep in the Umbrian hills, a thousand-year-old fortress has been reborn as one of Italy’s most celebrated equestrian retreats — welcome to Castello di Reschio.
In the verdant heart of Italy, on the borderlands between Umbria and Tuscany, the Castello di Reschio sits on a 3,700-acre private estate of ancient woodland and meadows. This 1,000-year-old medieval fortress, originally built circa 1050, has undergone a meticulous, three-decade-long restoration led by the owning Bolza family, who acquired the property in 1984. The former castle is now a luxurious, 36-suite, Three-Michelin-Key hotel that blends historic architecture with the contemporary design vision of architect Count Benedikt Bolza.
The broader estate, an expanse of rolling green hills lined with signature cypress trees, is a haven of biodiversity. Guests on guided walks or exploratory drives can spot native wildlife, including deer and wild boar. The careful preservation of this landscape is matched by the detailed work within the castle walls. Count Benedikt Bolza, alongside his wife Donna Nencia Corsini, oversaw the renovation of every structural element, designing custom furniture and interior pieces — often referred to as BB for Reschio Studio — that stand alongside antique finds, giving each room a unique and characterful style.
In addition to the hotel, the Reschio estate is dotted with a collection of restored farmhouses, many of which the Bolzas have transformed into exclusive private villas.
A central pillar of the Reschio experience is its celebrated equestrian center. The stables, initially created by the estate’s founder, Count Antonio Bolza — whose inspiration stemmed from his childhood encounters with the famous Lipizzaner horses of Vienna — are state-of-the-art. Today, the facility is home to dressage horses, primarily purebred Spanish horses. Guests can watch weekly performances in the atmospheric Teatro Equestre by master trainer Antonello Radicchi and his wife Francesca. The center also offers multilingual instruction for all skill levels, ranging from private dressage lessons to tranquil guided hacks through the Umbrian countryside.
The commitment to natural heritage extends to the estate’s culinary offerings. Reschio features two main dining establishments utilizing organic produce grown directly on-site in the estate’s gardens. The elegant Ristorante al Castello, within the castle walls, offers fine dining and serves breakfast on its terrace with panoramic sunset views. Meanwhile, the informal Ristorante alle Scuderie provides a seasonal menu in a beautiful setting with soaring ceilings.
For moments of quiet repose, the unique Bathhouse is situated within the castle’s ancient wine cellars. Designed as a tribute to the old Roman baths, this wellness space features a large saltwater pool illuminated by natural light, a Swedish sauna and a hammam, and offers curated spa rituals that provide a profound sense of rest and restoration deep within the 1,000-year-old stone foundations.
The meticulous transformation of the castle and its surrounding 3,700 acres into a refined luxury destination reflects the family’s dedication to preserving both Italy’s history and its natural beauty.
See this story in the digital Spring 2026 issue. And see more of our 2026 Travel Collection here.
