The Modern Impressionist workshop retreat at the enchanting 1400 acre estate, Castle Di Magrano in Gubbio Italy. Instructing this weeklong immersive painting event is internationally renowned artist and Vice President of the Royal Institute of Oil Painters, Instructed by Haidee-Jo Summers

Castle Di Magrano was built in the Middle Ages to defend the town of Gubbio against Perugia. The castle has retained its defensive character from the outside, but four years of intensive renovation have turned the interior into an extremely welcoming and comfortable house.

The castle is surrounded by a park with century old trees, large lawns and a beautiful pool which looks out over the hilly 1400-acre estate. The estate is signposted with beautiful walks, and in the appropriate season guests can even go truffle hunting with local experts. The owners of the estate are descendants of the family of Napoleon Bonaparte and the castle has been in their family since 1830.

Castello Gubbio is situated on a promontory in Umbria, the region called “the green heart of Italy”, in the territory of Gubbio, surrounded by a large loop of the Chiascio river. It overlooks the Cucco Mount, which has summer sports (trekking and delta plane) and winter sports (skiing) available.

Immerged in an uncontaminated landscape, bordered by woods, grasslands and waters, the history of Castello Gubbio dates back to the middle ages, when it was the heart of the defence of the Commune of Gubbio against Perugia.

The local village can be reached in 8 minutes by car. Gems such as Gubbio, Perugia, Assisi, Cortona, Spoleto and Todi are all within easy reach.
In 1391 Melchiorre Montaiti, Lord Magrano, undertook to go against the Noble Antonio da Montefeltro, Lord of Urbino and Gubbio. Magrano was then severely assaulted with the destruction of its mill (which was built again and still exists today) but the soldiers of the Montefeltro family failed to take over the castle.

In 1431 Magrano moved under the jurisdiction of the Dukes of Montefeltro.