Castello di Monterado

Starting out as an ancient monastery, the Castello di Monterado passed on to the Duchy of Urbino and later to the powerful Della Rovere family. Today the monumental fortress belongs to the Rodano family who have painstakingly brought it back to its original splendor. Orlando and Kira are young and attentive hosts. Four magnificently spacious suites (Atena, Afrodite, Amorini and the Bridal suite) are available with original antiques, chandeliers, period paintings, and restored whimsical frescoes on high ceilings. The Bridal Suite is the largest and the most special. It was commissioned by Napoleon’s nephew for his wedding night with the daughter of Russia’s Czar Alexander. Its private terrace overlooks soft hillsides and it has a refurbished but original (early 1900s) bathroom. Other suites have contrasting new designer bathrooms. A series of common rooms wraps around the courtyard; formal sitting rooms, library with century-old books, music room and terrace, and frescoed dining room where breakfast is served. The simply-appointed apartments, within a building across the street, can accommodate from four to six people.