Castel di Luco

We had an enchanting weekend in a medieval castle, surrounded by a magical atmosphere and history. We’re a couple, one of us from South Africa and the other from Bologna.

The owners were incredibly gracious when we arrived two hours later than planned and even arranged dinner for 9 pm. They clearly care deeply about the place. Dinner was a simple set menu, but really delicious, just what we needed after a long day of driving. Our room was spacious and quiet, with a very comfortable bed and soft linens. The candlelit dining room, with its layers of frescoes, was stunning, and the inner courtyard was beautiful too. We live in Italy and travel quite a bit, and Castel di Luco still managed to blow me away. I’d picked it at random because it was a convenient overnight stop on our way back to Tuscany from Puglia. It turned out to be a tastefully restored castle that’s 1,000 years old, with lovely rooms. I’d highly recommend it. It’s also somewhat near Norcia and Castelluccio if you’re visiting those places.

The drive up to the castle and the parking area aren’t pristine, and you can see the buildings are still being repaired. Don’t let that put you off, it’s still a great experience. The medieval castle is beautiful, the rooms have been renovated with care, and the areas we saw were well preserved.

Ask if they can arrange the tour in English. The castle is family owned and run, and its history goes back more than 1,000 years. It’s amazing, and you won’t regret taking the tour. If you can, have dinner there too. It was one of the best meals I’ve had in Italy. As an American new to driving in Italy, I found getting around both amazing and terrifying. Some of the roads to the Castel are very narrow, and local drivers seem to follow their own unwritten rules.