PROPERTY 531

Description

Casa del Monaco

Location and Surrounding Area

Immersed in the calm Tuscan countryside, this magnificent five-bedroom castle is ideally located to explore the region’s cultural highlights and most spectacular natural wonders. Perched on a hill with spectacular views of the surrounding area, this exclusive villa is the perfect location for unforgettable day trips to the most beautiful towns in Tuscany and provides a unique opportunity to admire its splendid landscapes while soaking up the region’s incredibly rich historical and cultural heritage.

The villa is a few kilometers from San Gimignano, one of the best preserved medieval towns in Italy. From afar, San Gimignano looks like a town from a Renaissance painting: a circle of 13th-century walls enclosing tall, teetering stone towers. Its towers make it instantly recognizable, but the art treasures held within its walls are just as remarkable. Although the town is small, there is enough art, architecture and fine food to keep you busy for more than one day.

The villa is also a few kilometers from Siena. Its ancient red brick buildings, the scallop-shaped main square Piazza del Campo and the Cathedral Square, dominated by the zebra-striped Duomo, make it an absolute must for anyone traveling to Tuscany. Effectively an open-air museum celebrating the Gothic, Siena boasts secular monuments that have retained both their medieval forms and their exceptional art collections, providing plenty to marvel at.

The villa is few kilometers from Volterra, one of Tuscany’s most dramatic hilltop towns. Despite its many attractions, Volterra sees fewer tourists than other Tuscan towns, so you can expect to share its winding stone streets with locals and explore its ancient sites without crowds. Founded by the Etruscans and surrounded by medieval walls, Volterra has a notable historic center filled with fascinating Roman ruins, medieval buildings and alabaster workshops.

In less than two hours by car you can also reach Pisa, well-known for its Leaning Tower. Moving between its alleys and riversides you will discover architectural jewels such as Santa Maria della Spina, the headquarters of the Scuola Normale Superiore in Piazza dei Cavalieri, the exhibitions of Palazzo Blu and the magnetic charm of Piazza dei Miracoli. Start from the Baptistery and head to the 130-meter Camposanto Monumentale overlooking the square.

Casa del Monaco is 40 km from Florence Amerigo Vespucci International Airport, 90 km from Pisa Galileo Galilei International Airport and 316 km from Rome Leonardo da Vinci International Airport. Greve in Chianti is 8 km from the villa, San Casciano in Val di Pesa is 17 km, Castellina in Chianti is 22 km, San Gimignano is 37 km, Florence is 38 km, Siena is 56 km, Volterra is 59 km, Pisa is 95 km, Lucca is 103 km, Montepulciano is 116 km.

The Property

Set in a serene countryside of gently rolling hills, Casa del Monaco provides the perfect retreat for those seeking complete privacy and relaxation in the heart of Tuscany. Once owned by one of the most powerful families in Florence, this magnificent villa boasts the atmosphere of a historical Tuscan castle. Offering a calm atmosphere and charming views over the Pesa valley, Casa del Monaco can accommodate up to ten guests featuring five bedrooms  (four double bedrooms and one twin room) spread over two floors.

Immersed in a lush garden with views of the surrounding area, the villa boasts a private above-ground pool and a generous lawn furnished with comfortable sun loungers and deckchairs inviting guests to sit back and unwind. Offering a tranquil atmosphere, the poolside area represents an idyllic spot for basking in the sun and enjoying wonderful moments of relaxation in the company of a good book. The garden, enclosed by an ancient wall, also features a generous al fresco dining area.

Flooded with light, the ground floor boasts a spacious dining room with fireplace and comfortable sofas with plenty of seating. As the evening falls, gather around the fireplace and enjoy a glass of local wine with your fellow guests. On the same floor you will also find a generous fully-equipped traditional kitchen with ancient marble slabs combined with modern elements. On the ground floor you will also find a comfortable double bedroom with en-suite bathroom with shower.

The furniture recalls the elegant simplicity of historic homes with beds in wrought iron or carved out wood, antique wardrobes and chests of drawers. The rooms are paved with the original terracotta floors and the walls have been whitewashed with lime, the traditional technique used in medieval houses. Offering an exquisite blend of period charm and modern comfort, the first floor houses four double bedrooms with en-suite bathroom with shower and one comfortable twin room with private bathroom with shower.

The villa can comfortably accommodate up to ten guests in five bedrooms plus two additional guests in two sofa beds. One sofa bed can be found in the living room, while the other one can be found in one of the bedrooms. On request, a folding bed for kids can be added in one of the larger bedrooms. Casa del Monaco features TV with satellite channels and wireless Internet access throughout.

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