The original castle of Cosona was destroyed in 1234, and the present fortified country house, still a noteable landmark among the picturesque Sienese hills around Pienza, dates back to 1400. It has had only three owners in its long history: the great patrician Tolomeis family which built it, the Bourbon King Ferdinand I, and the Forteguerri family who have been here since 1465.

In the 500 hectacre of grounds which surround the castle, two eighteenth century farm workers' houses have been recently converted into spacious apartments. Il Poggiolo, the larger of the two apartments, has a spacious sitting room which is dominated by a traditional Tuscan fireplace and a separate, well-equipped kitchen/dining room which seats 12. La Capella has an attractive living room and dining room area with a kitchen corner. Both have simple, country-style bedrooms, many of which have good views. Each apartment has its own private external seating area and a stunning new pool (14m x 8m) has been constructed in the grounds, for the exclusive use of guests at the two apartments.

The castle is well placed for visits to the great wine towns of Montalcino and Montepulciano but there are hidden treasures closer to home like the medieval convent of Sant' Anna, with frescoes by Il Sodoma, which is just a few kilometres away across the breathtakingly beautiful rolling hills of this hidden part of Tuscany.

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