For this tour you will be staying at Palazzo Squarcialupi (pronounced Skwar-chya-LOOP-ie). An integral part of the history of Castellina in Chianti, it is in the historical town center, on a road running along the 15th--century city wall. The building goes back to the Middle Ages and was completely rebuilt in the 1400s, when it became a luxury palace. At the moment it is the most important example of civil building in Castellina. From 1400 until the second half of 1500 (when Florence captured Siena), Castellina in Chianti was a strategic military outpost, defending the Florentine Republic’s borders from the attack of the Republic of Siena. After the conquest of Siena, the palace and its territories passed to the Ugolini family, who transformed the palace into a luxury residence and provided it with a wine cellar and farm, which have been maintained by the present owners. They have patiently revitalized the farm and completely restored the Palace. The Hotel, with 15 large rooms, combines an authentic medieval setting with modern amenities. Every room is provided with private bathroom, telephone, air conditioning/heating, mini bar and color satellite TV. At the hotel’s bar, the wine-tasting room or on the panoramic terrace, guests can taste the house wine while admiring a beautiful view of the Chianti hills.