Located near the tiny medieval hill town of Pitigliano in
southern Tuscany with views of the vineyards across the
ravine. Pitigliano is one of the most beautiful cities you’ll
encounter in Tuscany. It’s bella anytime, but magic at night when
it’s illuminated by spotlights. The city is perched on a tufa rock
plateau covered with houses some carved as deep as four stories
into the stone. Known as Little Jerusalem as a
harbour for Jewish residents from the Papal States, in the
environs of Pitigliano and throughout the Maremma region of south
Tuscany, one can find the “sunken roads” carved out by the
Etruscans during the Bronze age.
Price based on 7 night stay. Property also available per night.
Located near the tiny medieval hill town of Pitigliano in
southern Tuscany with views of the vineyards across the
ravine. Pitigliano is one of the most beautiful cities you’ll
encounter in Tuscany. It’s bella anytime, but magic at night when
it’s illuminated by spotlights. The city is perched on a tufa rock
plateau covered with houses some carved as deep as four stories
into the stone. Known as Little Jerusalem as a
harbour for Jewish residents from the Papal States, in the
environs of Pitigliano and throughout the Maremma region of south
Tuscany, one can find the “sunken roads” carved out by the
Etruscans during the Bronze age.
One approaches the house through a rose covered cloister, ideal for outdoor dining or for just lounging in the dappled sunlight. A terrace at the other end of the house has views over the lavender parterred ancient fig garden, which is where one can sit quietly and enjoy a glass of prosecco at sunset. An 18 meter saltwater pool with a jasmine-covered pergola overlooks the untouched ravine.
The main house itself has been renovated with all modern conveniences while maintaining the look of an untouched and magical place. Inside the house and upstairs is a library and a very comfortable sitting room. The house is naturally air conditioned. The 3 foot thick walls maintain a constant temperature of 58 degrees. The rooms above have constant cool breezes through the perfect north south axis of every window.
The grand room is used today for receiving guests. It has a huge wood-burning hearth, banquettes and chairs, plus two dining areas, one with a long refectory table for 20, and another smaller hexagonal table for 6. There is an auxiliary kitchen in this room which is well equipped with a powerful 6-burner gas stove, dishwasher, toaster oven, 2 refrigerators. everything a serious cook would need.
The house has 6 double bedrooms, plus 2 single rooms. On the groundfloor there is a double bedroom with an 800lb ceramic bath tub. On the first floor, there are 5 double bedrooms, 2 single bedrooms and 6 bathrooms. Beautiful homespun linen sheets, down quilts and pillows in every room. The house can accommodate up to 12 people at a time.
7 bathrooms with showers and baths, 6 of which are ensuite.
Annabel loves the idiosyncratic approach that the owners took when renovating this lovely convent.
Renown from Roman times, Saturnia is 20 min drive away. There are hot mineral water flowing in the rivers and a modern spa (with services) with an 18 hole golf course. The spa of Sorano with less hot water is left out the driveway 2K away.
With Dogs can be booked through the Agriturismo Aia Del Tufo.
Smallest of the three villages is the well preserved town of Sovana. Once an Etruscan settlement itself, not it is a frazione of Sorano. The one street runs from the 13th century Aldobrandeschi castle ruins to the wonderfully picturesque 12th century cathedral.The Archeological area of Sovana is west along the road to San Martino sul Fiora; here is a stunning Etruscan Necropolis where one of the most important monuments in all of Etruscan Italy, the Ildebrando Tomb dating from 3rd-2nd century BC. The tombs are very much worth visiting. These are lovely areas to visit in the summer when you can escape the heat by walking in the shade of the narrow Vie Cave, all of which tend to be near rivers.