The Castle Acciaiolo, more commonly referred to simply as "Acciaiolo", can be found in Scandicci. The monumental complex consists of the villa with outbuildings, and its garden and park.
Behind the imposing building lies a centuries-long story already beginning, according to historical sources, in the fourteenth century. The lords of this area at that time were the family Rucellai, one of the most important Florentine houses of the age which boasted landholdings throughout the Tuscan countryside.
Then the castle was called by the name Calcherelli and originally had a military function. In the following century the castle passed into the hands of the family Davizzi, whose coat of arms can still be seen on the north tower.
In 1546 the castle was acquired by Roberto di Donato Acciaioli and from that point on the was called Castello Acciaiolo, after the new owners.
It was in this period that the "Acciaiolo" was enhanced with its most notable architectural features. Its entrance, staircase, grand fireplace, and paneled ceilings distinguish it to this day.
But the military structure, dating back to the fourteenth century, remains largely unaltered, even though the castle has lost its original, defensive purpose. In fact, in the two centuries of ownership by the Acciaoli, the castle enhanced its role as a posh residence tightly coupled to the agricultural activities of the region.
Dating to the eighteenth century, the original late-Baroque chapel in the castle is one of the few examples of its type in Florence. The chapel was constructed by the family Gentile-Farinola, the successors of the family Acciaioli.
During the eighteenth-century the castle did not undergo major modifications, but preserved its image of an ancient fortified building. The municipal authorities of Scandicci became the official proprietors on the 16th of February, 1999, by a deed authorized by Massimo Cavallina. The municipality purchased the castle for a price of 2,600,000,000 lira paid to the Caini, then the owners of the property.
