Restored Tuscan Hamlet in Chianti Classico—With Ties to Galileo
In the hills of Gaiole in Chianti—just 15 minutes from Siena and perched on a ridge once defended by medieval castles—a rare 25-acre estate is quietly listed with Italy Sotheby’s International Realty. Price upon application.
What was once a stronghold on the Siena–Florence defense line is now a boutique estate with 15 bedrooms, two pools, vaulted wine cellars, and a historical link to one of science’s most legendary figures—Galileo Galilei.
Restored in 2008 with reverence for original materials and spatial flow, the 2,950 sqm (31,753 sq ft) estate spans four historic structures: la villa, la casina, il fenile, and a consecrated chapel.
The main villa—over 18,000 sq ft—is a stately Tuscan residence with a panoramic terrace, vaulted cellars, two kitchens (including one with a wood-fired oven), and a turreted bedroom with commanding views. Interiors balance elegance and authenticity, with stone floors, beamed ceilings, and spaces designed for both seasonal entertaining and quiet retreat. Historical records note that Galileo Galilei—the father of modern science and a devoted wine lover—once stayed at the villa. A fitting guest for a home in the heart of Chianti Classico.
La casina, the former farmhouse, offers six guest-ready bedrooms, a portico with original columns, and a private octagonal pool overlooking a spring-fed stream.
Il fenile, once the estate’s limonaia, has been reimagined as a stone-floored event space with a soaring beamed ceiling and adjacent five-car garage. A separate caretaker’s cottage with three bedrooms is also tucked nearby.
The chapel—simple and serene—remains consecrated and perfect for private ceremonies.
Amenities include vaulted wine cellars, a cinema room, in-home gym, pizza oven, and expansive gardens with olive groves and formal landscaping.
Four additional buildings—some restored, others in ruin—are available under separate negotiation, offering the potential to expand the compound or develop a discreet hospitality retreat.
This is where science and serenity once met—where Galileo watched the stars, sipped Chianti, and made himself at home. For the right buyer, it offers the same invitation.
All photos courtesy of the listing agency.
