TORRE DI SAN MARTINO

Elegant living inside a medieval castle-village

THE SETTING OF Torre di San Martino drips with medieval history. Set in the beautiful village of Rivalta – a borgo dating back to the 11th century  – it overlooks the ancient Castello guarding the banks of the Trebbia river.

The cluster of houses added in the 14th century and enlarged a few hundred years later provides a compelling setting for a Tuscan holiday, laden with all the charm and atmosphere of times past. It's like walking through a living history book.

In keeping with their historic setting, Torre di San Martino's ten elegant bedrooms have plenty of period touches. Individually designed with plenty of creature comforts, they come with beamed ceilings, canopied beds, old prints and rich wooden antiques. Feeling extravagant? Splash out on the roomy junior suite, with its double jacuzzi in the round medieval tower and its own fabulous private terrace with views over the river.

Medieval surrounds

The pretty castle-village of Rivalta – complete with castle, narrow streets, flower-filled doorways and luxuriant greenery –  awaits exploration outside. Many of the old houses have been turned into little bars and restaurants over the years, so you won't be short of places to drink and dine.  You'll also be able to buy some delicious local goodies here: olive oil, wines, biscotti and garden herbs.


Torre di San Martino was reviewed by Room for Romance

Click on any picture to enlarge it and move through the gallery.

Dining in
Stoke up for a busy day's sightseeing with the delicious buffet breakfast. While no dinners are served in-house, you can however buy the perfect souvenir here for dinners back home. The castello's atmospheric wine cellars – all original, with earthern floors and vaulted stone ceilings – store barrels of excellent Borgo di Rivalta wines, each named after the aritocratic owner's ancestors.

Dining out
Rivalta has two excellent restaurants for dining out: La Rocchetta and Antica Locanda del Falco.

See & Do
Torre di San Martino is wonderfully situated for seeing some of the highlights of northern Italy. The hilltop city of Bergamo, with its compelling citta alta,  is only an hour away, as are the galleries and arcades of chic Milan. A trip to Parma (of ham fame) will reveal a wonderful medieval city, while the ancient Borgo (township) of Rivalta and its castle are right on your doorstep – and they have hardly changed in 500 years.

Shop
Wine lovers can pick up a few bottles of owner Count Orazio Zanardi Landi’s renowned wines, aged to perfection in the castello's cellars. Fashionistas should head to Milan, just an hour away.

After dark
Have dinner in the village and walk through its historic streets. Then back to that four-poster bed…

Dates
New Year's Eve
Come for the magical medieval celebration with jugglers, jesters and a black tie ball in the castle ballroom, topped with midnight fireworks.

GETTING THERE

Location
Castello di Rivalta, 29010 Gazzola

Parking
There is free guest parking

Trains
Piacenza station – 12km

Taxis
EUR 25 from the station, or EUR 130 from the airport

Airport
Milano Linate – 70km

ESSENTIAL INFO

Rates guide
EUR 230 - 600

Open/closed
Open all year

Check-in
2pm

Check-out
11am

Minimum night stay?
Two nights

Breakfast
Buffet breakfast is served until 10am

Room service
If you fancy a lie-in you can have breakfast in your four poster bed.

Children
Welcome

Pets
Dogs are welcome in the cottages

Air conditioning
Yes – all rooms

Languages
Italian, English, French and Spanish

Wedding license?
No – though there is always the village church

Eco conscience
All breakfast produce is 100% organic

Your contact
Stefania Fermi – general manager