Relais della Rovere Colle di Val d'Elsa - Tuscany.

Relais della Rovere, on the Tuscan hillside overlooking the picturesque town of Colle Val d'Elsa is built on the site of the ancient abbey of Badia di San Salvatore at Spugna; a medieval building the first documentary evidence of which dates back to the early 11th century.

The land on which the abbey was built originally belonged to the Bishop of Volterra, feudatory of the Holy Roman Empire, and at the turn of the 10th century, had been invaded by the extremely powerful count Ildebrando of the Aldobrandeschi, who, subsequently made his claim to it.
Such was the struggle between the Bishop of Volterra and the Count that Pope Giovanni XVIII himself was obliged to intervene and, in 1007, an exchange deed was stipulated between the two warring parties.
It was Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere, later destined to become Pope Giulio II, who commissioned the building of a residential villa on the site of the abbey in the late 1400's.
Famous for his flamboyant personality and as a committed patron of the arts, during his lifetime Cardinal Giuliano della Rovere employed the services of such great renaissance artists as Raphael and Michelangelo.

The della Rovere heraldic shields still adorn the façade of the imposing building, recent subject of an extensive restoration program which has resulted in the villa being transformed in the superb 4 star hotel: Relais della Rovere.

Guests sojourn in any of 30 beautifully appointed rooms each decorated with a stylish combination of period and modern furnishings. Suites feature rare antiques and large bathrooms with luxurious whirlpool tubs.

Relais della Rovere is situated within easy driving distance of the historic towns of Colle Val d'Elsa, Volterra, San Gimignano and Monterrigioni, and the cities of Siena and Florence. For those wishing to remain at the hotel, the swimming pool located in the gardens provides the perfect venue where to relax.

In the evening, first class Tuscan cuisine is served in the atmospheric dining rooms of the Relais's "Enoteca il Cardinale" restaurant. Dishes inspired by the region's great gastronomic tradition and prepared using only the finest, locally-sourced, ingredients, are accompanied by a superb selection of regional wines.

Functions rooms equipped with the most modern meeting room equipment are available for meetings and events.