Stay 
Montaperti
approx. 3.5 km
The place near Siena that gave its name to the battle of 4 September 1260, in which Ghibelline troops led by Siena defeated the Guelph army led by Florence.
Photo: Unknown author (public domain), public domain
Castello nelle Crete: a night in a Tuscan castle in the Crete Senesi
Castello nelle Crete is a castle accommodation in the Crete Senesi, the pale clay hills south-east of Siena. The listing gives no street address, but its coordinates coincide with those of the Castello di Leonina near Asciano, a brick castle begun in the 15th century on the site of an older fortress. Guests find a shared pool, air-conditioned rooms and Tuscan countryside all around.
At a glance
- Location
- Near Asciano, province of Siena (Tuscany), in the Crete Senesi, about 10 km from Siena as the crow flies
- Accommodation
- Castle described by Expedia as a castle in a rural setting, with 22 bathrooms; the listing’s coordinates match the Castello di Leonina, a Renaissance castle and fortified farm
- Highlights
- Shared pool, courtyard with cypresses, estate with vineyard (as seen in the listing photos), free Wi-Fi in all rooms, air conditioning
- Guest rating
- No reviews on Expedia yet (as of 14 Oct 2026)
- Check-in & check-out
- Check-in from 2 pm · check-out by 11 am
- Good to know
- No pets · non-smoking · parking on site · Arbia station (Asciano) about 9 minutes by car
Staying at Castello nelle Crete: a night in the clay hills of Tuscany
To stay at Castello nelle Crete is to sleep on a Tuscan castle estate set in open country, between Siena and Asciano. Expedia calls it a castle in a rural setting and lists 22 bathrooms, a sign of a large property. The listing photos show a bedroom with a wooden bed and a desk, a cosy room with a brick wall, a wooden staircase and a sofa, rooms with large wardrobes and a bathroom with a big arched window.
The comforts listed include free Wi-Fi in all rooms, air conditioning, central heating, bed linen, towels, a hairdryer and cable or satellite TV. Outside, the estate has a shared pool, shown in the photos at night among stones and trees, and a courtyard with tall cypresses and a brick house. Another photo shows a main building surrounded by trees and a vineyard.
The Expedia listing does not name the building, and the property is not described in detail there, so the best way to learn about rooms, layout and capacity is the listing itself. What it does make clear is the setting: a quiet corner of the Crete Senesi, with restaurants 11 to 26 minutes away by car and Siena within easy reach.
Photos of Castello nelle Crete
The history behind Castello nelle Crete: the Castello di Leonina
- Middle Ages – The Sienese build a first fortified complex at Leonina.
- 13th century – The chapel of San Bartolomeo is built nearby as a rural chapel of the chapter of Siena Cathedral.
- 1234 – A battle between Sienese and Orvietan troops is fought at Leonina during the war between the two cities for control of the territory; the original complex is badly damaged and has to be demolished.
- 15th century – A Renaissance castle is built on the same site and, over the following centuries, gradually becomes a fortified farm.
- 17th century – The chapel is rebuilt on a larger scale and becomes the parish church of the hamlet.
- 1994 – A survey by the heritage authorities finds the complex unused, after a slow decline in the 20th century.
- 2003 – After a careful restoration, the castle becomes an accommodation.
This history comes from the Italian Wikipedia article on the Castello di Leonina, which the listing’s coordinates match to within about 50 m. The Expedia listing itself does not give the building’s name, so the link is based on location. If the match is right, the guest is staying in a brick complex on a square plan, with walls along the west and north sides, a round-arched travertine gateway in the middle of the north wall and a square guard turret at each corner; the north-eastern one is the sturdiest and tallest.
On the south side stands the taller manor house. In the north-western corner of the courtyard is a monumental octagonal well-cistern in travertine, flanked by two columns with Corinthian capitals, which once collected rainwater for the residents. The church of San Bartolomeo a Leonina, with a baroque single-nave interior, stands close by on the highest point of the hamlet.
Facilities and services at Castello nelle Crete
The details below come from the Expedia listing (as of 14 Oct 2026); room details may vary from room to room.
Rooms
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms
- Air conditioning and central heating
- Bed linen and towels provided
- Hairdryer
- Cable or satellite TV
- 22 bathrooms in the property
Grounds
- Shared pool
- Courtyard with cypresses
- Estate with vineyard (seen in the listing photos)
- Parking on site
House rules
- Non-smoking property
- Pets are not allowed
- Check-in from 2 pm, check-out by 11 am
Where Castello nelle Crete is: between Siena and Asciano
The listing’s coordinates fall in the countryside of the municipality of Asciano, in the province of Siena, in the area known as the Crete Senesi. The name comes from the clay, creta in Italian, which gives the landscape its grey-blue colour and often lunar look: bare, softly rolling hills, lone oaks and cypresses, and farms on the ridges.
Expedia gives practical drive times: about 9 minutes to Arbia station in Asciano and about 86 minutes to Florence airport (Peretola). Restaurants listed by Expedia are 11 to 26 minutes away by car, so a car is useful. Siena, with Piazza del Campo and the Fortezza Medicea, is about 10 km away in a straight line.
Nearby, the Battle of Montaperti was fought in 1260 a few kilometres from the castle, and the Benedictine abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore lies about 15 km away. Further afield are Monteriggioni with its walls and Pienza in the Val d’Orcia.
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Distances (as the crow flies from Castello nelle Crete)
| Church of San Bartolomeo a Leonina | approx. 300 m |
| Montaperti | approx. 3.5 km |
| Asciano | approx. 11 km |
| Siena | approx. 11 km |
| Monte Oliveto Maggiore | approx. 15 km |
| Monteriggioni | approx. 21 km |
| Pienza | approx. 30 km |
| San Gimignano | approx. 39 km |
Distances are calculated in a straight line from the listing’s coordinates; drive times to the station and airport come from the Expedia listing.
Things to see around Castello nelle Crete
Asciano
approx. 11 km
A town of Etruscan origins with a medieval centre. Its south-western territory is the clay badlands of the Crete Senesi, known since the Middle Ages as the Accona desert.
Photo: Vignaccia76, CC BY-SA 3.0
Siena and Piazza del Campo
approx. 11 km
A UNESCO-listed historic centre (1995) famous for the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, the Torre del Mangia and the Palio, the horse race between the city’s contrade.
Photo: Massimo Catarinella, CC BY-SA 3.0
Monte Oliveto Maggiore Abbey
approx. 15 km
A Benedictine monastery in the municipality of Asciano, seat of the abbot general of its congregation. It traces its origins to 1313, when Bernardo Tolomei withdrew to the Accona desert.
Photo: Acer11, CC BY-SA 3.0
Monteriggioni
approx. 21 km
The walled hilltop castle was built by the Republic of Siena between 1214 and 1230 on the site of an old Lombard farm, to defend its frontier.
Photo: WikiRomaWiki, CC BY-SA 4.0
Pienza
approx. 30 km
A small town of fewer than 2,000 inhabitants in the Val d’Orcia, whose historic centre was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.
Photo: Sherseydc (Flickr), CC BY-SA 2.0
Tours & activities near Castello nelle Crete
Experiences in the region that you can book online with Viator:
Tuscany Day Trip from Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Lunch at a Winery
Famous for a wealth of art, history, striking landscapes and outstanding produce, Tuscany really does have the best of all worlds! With only a day to …
View details ›
Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano with Lunch & Wine Tasting at a Winery
There’s more to Tuscany than Florence. Leave the city behind and discover three other enchanting Tuscan destinations on this day trip to Siena, San …
View details ›
Rome: Tuscany & Montepulciano Day Trip with Lunch & Wine Tasting
A stress-free day in Tuscany with authentic food, exceptional wine and breathtaking scenery, all seamlessly organized for you.
View details ›
San Gimignano, Siena, Monteriggioni, Chianti Day Trip with Lunch
Discover Tuscany in one day from Florence. Begin in the hilltop UNESCO town of San Gimignano with about 2 hours of free time to explore towers …
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Tuscany in One Day: Pisa, Siena, San Gimignano & Chianti Lunch
Spend the day discovering the highlights of the Tuscan countryside on this guided tour, together with its amazing art cities and tasting food & wine …
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Siena, San Gimignano and Chianti Wines Day Tour from Florence
A full day tour, taking in the key beauties of Central Tuscany including a delicious Chianti wine tasting. You'll roll through the sweeping …
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Tuscany Small Group Tour: Siena & San Gimignano with Winery Lunch
Enjoy the high quality of this small-group tour - the perfect experience in order to discover art, history, landscapes, food and wine in a …
View details ›
Florence Day Trip: Pisa, San Gimignano and Siena with Lunch
Discover the best of Tuscany in just one day on this expertly planned tour from Florence. Skip the stress of organizing transport and enjoy a …
View details ›Who is Castello nelle Crete for?
History lovers
A Renaissance castle on the site of a medieval fortress, a baroque church next door and, a few kilometres away, the field of the Battle of Montaperti.
Landscape lovers
Cypress-lined roads, clay hills and open views make the Crete Senesi a favourite subject for walkers and photographers.
Groups of friends or family
With 22 bathrooms and a shared pool, the property looks suited to larger parties; check the capacity and layout in the Expedia listing.
Tuscany explorers
Siena is about 10 km away, and Monte Oliveto Maggiore, Monteriggioni and Pienza can all be reached on day trips.
Good to know before booking Castello nelle Crete
- Check-in is from 2 pm and check-out is at 11 am.
- Pets are not allowed, and the property is non-smoking.
- Parking is available on site.
- Expedia lists Arbia station (Asciano) about 9 minutes away by car and Florence airport about 86 minutes away.
- The countryside setting means restaurants are 11 to 26 minutes away by car, according to Expedia.
- The listing does not give a street address or a detailed description of the building; check the room and capacity details on Expedia before booking.
Find available dates at Castello nelle Crete
Frequently asked questions
Can you stay overnight at Castello nelle Crete?
Yes. Castello nelle Crete is listed on Expedia as a castle accommodation in the countryside near Siena, with a shared pool and air-conditioned rooms.
Is Castello nelle Crete the same as the Castello di Leonina?
The listing does not name the building, but its coordinates match those of the Castello di Leonina near Asciano, which Wikipedia says has housed guests since 2003.
Are pets allowed?
No. According to Expedia, pets are not allowed, and the property is non-smoking.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
Check-in is from 2 pm and check-out is at 11 am.
Is there a pool?
Yes, Expedia lists a shared pool for guests.
How far is Siena from Castello nelle Crete?
Siena is about 10 km away in a straight line. Expedia gives about 9 minutes by car to Arbia station in Asciano and about 86 minutes to Florence airport.
Room photos, guest reviews and available dates are all in the Castello nelle Crete listing on Expedia.
Fancy a night in a Tuscan castle among the clay hills? Check availability and current prices for Castello nelle Crete on Expedia.
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