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Italian Villa Le Terrae, near the hill town of Orte, is surrounded by vineyards, oak forests, and sunflower fields bordering Umbria and Lazio.
In the territory of the ancient Etruscans: within half an hour to one hour distance from Rome, Spoleto, Orvieto, Assisi, Perugia, Todi, Viterbo, Civita di Bagnoregio, Tarquinia, Bolsena, and Vico lakes, and just two hours from Florence.
The villa provides a quiet and luxurious respite from busy travel, while remaining wellconnected to points of interest. Whether you are interested in art cities or medieval hilltowns, in Roman or Etruscan archaeological sites, in the art of the Renaissance, or in the dramatic and lush volcanic landscapes, hot springs, and lakes of the Tuscia region, you can use Villa Le Terrae as a base for explorations.
Completely private, with no other houses or buildings on its grounds, the villa boasts proud views of the surrounding hillsides and neighboring towns.
Le Terrae is nested high on the side of a declivity, and the view opens down towards system of valleys and creeks. This territory is part of the protected natural environment and watershed of the Tiber Valley, which eventually converges at the Tiber River,about 3 km away. The view is unobstructed, and you can see the lush vegetation and the dramatic tufo walls of the archaeological area of Palazzolo in the foreground.
The sunsets are spectacular, and the vivid reds and oranges sharply contrast with the deep greens of the valley, cutting the profiles of Montefiascone, the Cimino Mountain and Mount Amiata against the bright sky above of the Tyrrhenian Sea, in the distance.
Le Terrae, on three levels, can comfortably accommodate eight to ten people, but can be wonderfully spacious for a couple. Well furnished, entirely floored with terracotta tiles and finished with hand-painted ceramic tiles in kitchen and bathrooms, the villa has all the warmth and comfort to make you feel at home.
Smooth curving walls and ample windows give the home an open feel.
The kitchen, on the ground floor, is decorated with hand painted tiles and is complete with a chestnut table for dining. The large windows and glass doors in the kitchen open to the campagna and allow one to enjoy the beautiful setting from inside. After the pasta is made and strained, or the pizza cooked in the outdoor wood oven, a meal can be enjoyed under the gorgeous canopy of the three hundred year old oak tree that stands tall next to the villa.
The bedrooms are each tastefully furnished with antique wood closets and beautiful wrought iron bed frames. There is a unique charm to every one of the rooms. For that matter, the villa itself is of a special charm. Designed by the architect Alberto Rulli, it encompasses both comfort and Italian refinement. The place exudes a special aura of natural balance and well-being.
A spectacular round staircase in the heart of the villa features a spiraling wrought iron handrail, painted in a very Mediterranean shade of blue. Windows on the staircase allow light to flood the steps and play geometric games on the cool terra-cotta floor.
The second floor living area complete with fireplace, couches, stereo system, and abundant lighting provides the space to socialize or to just wind down and relax. Villa Le Terrae is unique in that it has large living spaces and yet it also has many cozy niches perfect for those wanting some individual time.
After a full day of excursions, experience, the quiet of one of the covered terraces, enjoying the pleasant breeze that rises from the valley while sipping a glass of good wine. Perhaps on occasion, taking in distant sounds of a festa or fireworks in one of the nearby hilltowns.
From the villa there are beautiful views on the hills and towns and on the surrounding woods.
Toward the northeast across the Tiber are the hilltowns of Amelia, Lugnano, and Penna in Teverina, all in luscious (green Heart of Italy) Umbria.
The landscape of the region, Tuscia –the Roman name for the land of the Etruscans- is characterized by the warm colors of the underlying volcanic rocks, lush vegetation and dramatic land forms.
What at a first sight appears to be flatland is in actuality rugged territory with high plateaus of soft tufo rock, through which the abundant waters of the Tiber tributaries have carved deep gorges and canyons, delimited by high perpendicular walls.
In this natural scenery the ancient hill towns seem to be magically rising from the natural fortifications of the volcanic cliffs. The fertility of the soil and the richness of the water produce lush vegetation, dominated by oaks. The Etruscan's Ciminian Forest was famous in ancient times, and said to be so thick and mysterious as to be feared by the Romans.
Traditionally an obligatory passage and crossing of the Tiber for pilgrims and travelers heading to Rome, this was a land of adventurers and brigands, chosen for its untamed beauty by noble families and popes for their summer residences.
Come and immerge yourself in the rich historical and artistic legacy of this relatively unknown part of Italy: Etruscan-Faliscan and Roman necropolis and sites, Medieval hilltowns, Renaissance palazzi and gardens and art cities – You will be spoiled with choice. |
