Capture the castle; An eleventh-century estate finally opens its doors, writes Richard Alleman.(Castello di Segalari)

While the delights of northern Tuscany are well known, southern Tuscany is another story. South of Pisa, the medieval hill towns of Pisan Maremma are far from the often-maddening tourist circuit. Although it has few notable hotels, the area is home to a number of spectacular private estates, many of which have been in the same families for centuries. Now, for the first time, one of the grandest of these, the eleventh-century Castello di Segalari, is available for private rental.

Set amid 22 acres of cypress-

covered hills between the coastal towns of Cecina and San Vincenzo, the Castello enjoys views of the Ligurian Sea and the nearby island of Elba. Made of pinkish stone, this fairy-tale fortress has ten bedrooms, tastefully appointed with rich Italian fabrics, European and Ottoman antiques, and contemporary chandeliers, paintings, and sculptures. One of the bedrooms is housed in an enchanting tenth-century watchtower. The Castello also has expansive terraces-idyllic for warm-weather dining-plus a 65-foot-long marble swimming pool, a tennis court, a yoga pavilion, and its own stretch of sandy beach.

Guests can explore the nearby hill towns of Bol_gheri-home to Italy's prestigious Sassicaia vineyards; Castagneto Carducci-with its tenth-century castle of the Counts of Gherardesca; and Massa Marittima-boasting one of the most beautifully preserved medieval squares in all of Tuscany. The Castello can organize visits to the impressive ...