Castello di Galeazza

Via Provanone 8585

40014 - Galeazza di Crevalcore (BO)

Italy

 

 

 

Telephone:
39 (country code for Italy) 051 (area code for Bologna) 985 170 (castle number)

info@galeazza.com

www.galeazza.com

 

Now here is something really new in retreats,the Castle of Galeazza is home to the cultural association Reading Retreats in Rural Italy and its founder, Clark Lawrence. The association hosts concerts, art exhibitions, and seasonal events year-round, and is open as a guesthouse to members, who come from Italy and abroad to read, relax, and meet each other in a friendly and tranquil atmosphere. The castle, forty minutes north of Bologna, features frescoed ceilings and a library of over 3000 books, and sits amidst extensive gardens and a ten-acre woodland.

Since its inception in 1996, thousands of people have joined the association and come for events and "reading retreats," both at the castle and the association's previous location at Villa Montefano, Budrio. Guests span a wide range of ages, nationalities, and walks of life, from professors and actors to local farmers and ironworkers. All who stay at the castle pitch in with cooking, gardening, and other daily tasks.

Although Castello di Galeazza has been going now for a few years it is still quite unique. It is funky, fun, unpredictable, sometimes noisy and over-the-top, often so quiet you could hear a pin drop, both super efficient and madly disorganised - a real treat for tired souls, a beautiful spot to just be, and a happy place to let go of your worries and to chill out. So leave behind the mad rush of your busy life and join small groups of people from around the world who gather here in this castle for a personal reading retreat sojourn. That’s right! You live in a castle and reading a book is what you do –if you want to- as well as sleep a lot, eat well with lots of delicious light Italian food-and share in the cooking too- listen to music, hold conversations, make new friends, go for a bike ride, or just sit around doing nothing. From time to time there are concerts, art displays, you- name- it cultural activities.

Here is what The Guardian newspaper had to say about the place: Don't worry if when it's time to go home, you can't remember what you did on Monday or that you didn't venture far beyond the castle's walls. Chances are you read a few good books, did a lot of lounging around and slotted easily into the rhythms of castle life.

Here is an interesting endorsement from a satisfied guest, a confirmed Anglican very use to going on retreats, who writes after his visit at Galeazza:

Fascinating and surprising in all sorts of ways.  I thoroughly enjoyed my stay and
relaxed and benefitted from the time of seclusion from my 'busy world' over here.   Relaxed, with all that was going on?  Well yes, actually.  It was SO different from my own routine. A break away. My stay was enjoyable and beneficial. A relaxed yet organised routine and lovely food and wine. I feel I was treated as both observer and participant in a carousel of 'friendly fun': friends who seemed to drop in out of sheer pleasure and fellowship, who valued
and respected and enjoyed each other and who so willingly included me in their 'circle of familiarity'. I felt privileged - and valued. The library is fascinatingly comprehensive and so eclectic I do not need to bring any of my own books next time.  It was a wonderfully 'easy, quiet and comfortable' reading space and I found concentration envigorating with the beautiful Italian air and sunshine and stunning castle setting.  Strolling in the extensive woods with only the accompaniment of myriad birdsongs and 'clatter' of woodpeckers was
wonderfully helpful to my tired spirit.  I have returned home renewed. I hope to be back one day, soon.