Relais Museum Casa Carducci

Highlights

House Museum dedicated to Giosuè Carducci
Venue for weddings and private events
Extra Virgin Olive oil and wine tastings

Those who choose Tuscany for their active and wellness holidays find much more than just opportunities for sports, thermal centers, crystal-clear seas, and unspoiled nature. The Etruscan Coast, in particular, offers an invaluable historical and cultural heritage.

Between a trekking excursion, an e-bike ride, a swim, and a day in the sulfurous waters of the thermal baths, it’s easy to be seduced by the area’s cultural activities: museums, medieval villages, and artifacts from ancient Roman and Etruscan civilizations, often little explored and ready to be rediscovered.

At the top of the hill of Castagneto Carducci, in a position overlooking the sea with breathtaking views of the Tuscan Archipelago, lies the Relais Museo Casa Carducci. A historic home, exclusive event venue, and museum dedicated to Giosuè Carducci, one of Italy’s greatest poets.

The property is owned by the Espinassi Moratti family and managed by Maria Oliva Scaramuzzi, who, along with her father Franco Scaramuzzi, conceived the Progetto Parco Mediterraneo at the Campastrello Sport Residence Hotel.

Open to the public since 1992, the relais museum aims to keep alive the affectionate bond that linked the poet to Castagneto for many years. From 1879 to 1894, Carducci was a regular guest of the family, and it was in these rooms that he wrote some of his most famous poems, such as San Martino.

The residence is an integral part of the ADSI (Association of Italian Historic Houses) and the Case della Memoria. A particularly notable aspect of the museum is its social commitment: it is managed by the Altremani cooperative, an organization that promotes the employment of people in difficult situations, leveraging the expertise of local artisans to carry out projects with a strong social impact.

The Espinassi Moratti family has deep roots in the territory of Castagneto Carducci and in the history of Tuscan viticulture and olive growing.

Clemente Moratti, in the mid-18th century, emerged as a key figure in the region, initially working for the Espinassi family and later for the Counts of Gherardesca. He planted the vineyards around Castagneto and initiated the creation of the famous Viale dei Cipressi di Bolgheri, which would become one of the symbols of Giosuè Carducci’s poetry.

After these experiences, Clemente acquired land and founded the Moratti farm. Under the guidance of his son Giovanni, it transformed into a flourishing enterprise dedicated to agriculture, olive growing, and viticulture.

Casa Carducci: A history spanning nearly 3 centuries

The Espinassi Moratti family has deep roots in the territory of Castagneto Carducci and in the history of Tuscan viticulture and olive growing.

Clemente Moratti, in the mid-18th century, emerged as a key figure in the region, initially working for the Espinassi family and later for the Counts of Gherardesca. He planted the vineyards around Castagneto and initiated the creation of the famous Viale dei Cipressi di Bolgheri, which would become one of the symbols of Giosuè Carducci’s poetry.

The connection with Giosuè Carducci

In 1848-1849, Odoardo Espinassi Moratti, a man of great culture and nephew of Clemente, hosted Michele Carducci, Giosuè’s father, and his family. This hospitality marked the beginning of a lasting bond with the future Nobel laureate, who found inspiration in the tranquility and beauty of these lands for some of his most significant poems.

Innovations and changes in the 20th century

Between the late 1800s and early 1900s, the estate changed hands within the family several times until, in 1940, it was inherited by Antonietta Espinassi Moratti. Together with her husband, engineer Giusto Cancellieri, and the farm workers, she introduced important innovations and changes that further modernized the farm.

In the 1960s, the farm, which had meanwhile passed to Maria Bianca Cancellieri, Antonietta’s daughter, and married to Prof. Franco Scaramuzzi, rector of the University of Florence and president of the Georgofili Academy, focused mainly on producing an excellent DOP extra virgin olive oil. From their love, born around a thesis on olive trees, Maria Oliva was born, who continues this long family history today.

Activities and Experiences at Relais Casa Carducci

Hospitality and Rooms (currently unavailable)

The Relais Casa Carducci offers you a historic welcome, rich in traditions and daily care. Here, you can experience authentic Tuscany in a private, exclusive, intimate, and refined residence.

All the rooms of the main house and apartments have been tastefully restored with attention to every detail, using the original furniture to create a fairy-tale atmosphere and a relaxing area with all necessary comforts.

You can organize dinners around the fire of the large fireplace, relax while reading a book on the panoramic terrace, or rest in the shade of the garden, immersed in the peace of this place. Imagine listening to music while playing billiards or table football and your children playing safely in the dedicated area.

Tastings

The family business produces DOP extra virgin olive oil that captures all the essence of Tuscany. Relais guests are invited to guided tasting experiences where they can discover the secrets of oil production, from harvesting to pressing the olives. Under the olive trees, accompanied by spectacular sunsets, personalized aperitifs and buffets for private events can be organized.

Around the kitchen fireplace, you can organize fantastic barbecues with the best Tuscan meat and game specialties, accompanied by excellent red wines, all in a welcoming and familiar atmosphere.

For wine lovers, thanks to direct contact with the Consorzio per la Tutela dei Vini Bolgheri, the Bolgheri Sassicaia D.O.C, and the main wine producers in the area, Relais Casa Carducci can organize winery tours with tastings.

Special Events and Weddings

The Relais Casa Carducci offers an ideal setting for celebrating special events, including weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and parties. The Relais has many spaces, from the panoramic terrace to the garden that can accommodate up to 180 people, allowing for the personalization of each event according to guests’ preferences.

The garden is ideal for gala dinners, picnics, and buffet aperitifs. The terrace, on the other hand, offers a breathtaking view of the sea, and on clear evenings, you can see the lights of Elba, Gorgona, and Capraia islands, and even the tip of Corsica.

In addition to the outdoor spaces, various indoor areas are available, such as the salon, a long and evocative cellar, and the mill, once used for olive oil production and now restored to host events. Furthermore, civil weddings can be celebrated within the property. Next to the house, a consecrated private chapel is available for religious weddings, baptisms, and confirmations.

Sport and Wellness

The nature trails surrounding the property are ideal for jogging, walking, or cycling, allowing visitors to explore the area’s natural beauty. The suggestive roads winding through vineyards and olive groves offer a splendid opportunity to discover the places that inspired Giosuè Carducci’s poems.

The sea and beaches of Marina di Donoratico are just minutes away for a swim in the wonderful waters of the Tyrrhenian coast or to venture into some water sports.

For those seeking a more relaxing experience, the tranquil gardens of the Relais are perfect for yoga, pilates, and meditation sessions, allowing guests to reconnect with themselves in a serene and inspiring environment. The terraces and gardens of the Relais are also ideal for reading, enjoying a sunset aperitif, or simply watching the swallows fly at dusk.

The Carducci House Museum

The Museum Casa Carducci invites visitors to discover the rooms that hosted Giosuè Carducci during his long stays with the Espinassi Moratti family.

The study, where he wrote some of his poems, still preserves his manuscripts, important documents that testify to Carducci’s life, and typical objects of the period. The bedroom retains all the particular elements used at the time in daily life.

The rooms and furniture, made available by the Espinassi Moratti family heirs, recreate the charm of the old family environments that served as the backdrop to Carducci’s life in Castagneto.