Castelfranco Emilia · Emilia-Romagna · Est. XIII sec.
A private estate where arched ceilings
whisper stories of eight centuries —
and every stay feels like a homecoming.
Nestled between Bologna and Modena, Villa La Tartaruga blends eight centuries of Emilian history with the warmth of genuine Italian hospitality. Restored with devotion, opened with love.
Discover the estate
Original arched ceilings, terracotta floors and period plasterwork have been preserved and celebrated. Every room is a private world of quiet refinement — high ceilings, personal service and every modern comfort.
Managed personally by the owner couple, Villa La Tartaruga does not operate like a hotel. Guests are welcomed as honoured visitors — offered a breakfast prepared from local Emilian producers, and a pace of life that larger properties simply cannot replicate.
La Villa
"We did not want to create a hotel.
We wanted to open our home."
"The owners are extraordinarily welcoming. The silence, the garden, the enormous rooms — we felt like private guests in a Medici villa."
From intimate weddings beneath historic arches to Michelin-recognised enogastronomic evenings.
5 minutes from Lamborghini, 20 km from Bologna Airport — the ideal base in northern Italy.
The Estate
Villa La Tartaruga stands as one of the finest examples of Emilian rural architecture — a privately owned manor whose earliest records date to the 13th century, with significant expansions during the 18th century that gave the estate its current form: soaring arched ceilings, generous room proportions and an air of quiet authority.
The villa was acquired and lovingly restored by its current owners, who transformed it from a working farmhouse into a refined locanda without erasing a single fragment of its historic soul. Authenticity was the guiding principle: original plasterwork, terracotta flooring and exposed stone have been preserved and celebrated rather than concealed.
"We did not want to create a hotel. We wanted to open our home."
Today Villa La Tartaruga operates as a small-scale luxury bed & breakfast and event venue, managed personally by the owner couple. Guests are welcomed not as clients but as honoured visitors — offered breakfast prepared from local Emilian produce, guidance on the region's finest restaurants and museums, and an unhurried sense of space that larger properties simply cannot replicate.
The estate is surrounded by a large private garden with centuries-old trees, a lawn ideal for outdoor ceremonies and barbecue evenings, and a series of intimate outdoor terraces where the Emilian light falls in a way that makes even the simplest hour feel remarkable.
Accommodations
Each room at Villa La Tartaruga is a private world of quiet refinement — high ceilings, authentic architectural detail and every modern comfort, set within a manor that has welcomed distinguished guests for centuries.
The grandest room in the villa — a generous double suite with original 18th-century plasterwork, a king-size bed and a private bathroom of exceptional character.
Named for its exceptional arched architectural details, this elegant twin room offers two single beds that can be configured as a double — ideal for both solo travellers and couples.
A spacious double room offered for single occupancy — with direct access to the private garden, making it the most intimate and peaceful retreat in the estate.
Private Gatherings
Villa La Tartaruga is an officially recognised venue for ceremonies and private events. The estate's historic halls, intimate reception rooms and manicured private gardens create an unmatched setting for occasions that deserve more than the ordinary.
Villa La Tartaruga scores consistently at 8.8 out of 10 on Booking.com and 4.6 out of 5 on Google — recommended by both the Guida Michelin and Locande d'Italia.
"The owners are extraordinarily welcoming. The silence, the garden, the enormous rooms — we felt like private guests in a Medici villa."
"The perfect base for a Lamborghini factory visit. Peaceful, beautiful, and a breakfast that reminded me exactly why I love Italy."
"We chose the villa for our wedding and could not have made a better decision. Every detail felt genuinely Italian and effortlessly refined."
Location
Via Garzolé 41–43, Rastellino, Castelfranco Emilia (MO). Situated in the legendary Emilian countryside, the estate occupies one of northern Italy's most coveted positions — the heart of Motor Valley.
For automotive professionals visiting Lamborghini, Ferrari, Ducati or Pagani, Villa La Tartaruga provides an unrivalled base: peaceful, private, and minutes from the factory gates. For leisure travellers, it is the perfect countryside retreat from which to explore two of Italy's finest cities.
Reserve · Enquire
Whether you are planning a night's repose, a destination wedding or a corporate retreat — write to us and we will respond personally within 24 hours.