Featured in 'Architectural Digest' magazine, this outstanding country house with attached former church is protected by the Italian Ministry for Culture for its historic and cultural significance, sleeps 8. Set in the idyllic Chianti countryside between Florence (c.26km) and Siena (c.40km). The pretty market town of Greve-in-Chianti, with a wide range of shops, cafés and restaurants, is just 3km away.
A former church, with medieval origins, and attached stone villa, have recently been converted by a leading Italian architect and featured in Architectural Digest magazine. They sit at the heart of a tiny and ancient 'castello' (a fortified castle-hamlet), surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, woodland and open fields. The house enjoys serene vistas all around, stretching to the Apuan Alps 70 miles away. Leonardo da Vinci was inspired by the scenery here in his landscape painting.
The house is far more than just a rental property: it is a home, lovingly decorated by skilled Italian fresco artists, furnished with a stylish mix of antique and contemporary pieces collected from our travels all over the world. There are hand-painted Italian ceramics, hand-made glass, local wood and wicker work, the latest in Italian design bathrooms - beautiful objects that reflect a life well lived. The rooms are filled with flowers, fragrant soaps, books, CDs, sheet music, board games, films...and other simple pleasures to reflect 'la dolce vita'. There is an 1885 Bluthner grand piano in the main sitting room. Regrettably, the property is not suitable for children under 6 or those with mobility disabilities.
The cultural sites of Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, Montepulciano, Greve and the Chianti hill towns, medieval castles and wine estates are all nearby.
There are lovely outdoor swimming pools at Greve & seven interconnected pools at Quercegrossa.
Around the house are beautiful and extensive walking trails.
The area is very popular with cyclists and many itineraries are available.
Chianti is known for its outstanding wines and fine local cuisine.
House: 330sq.metres (total), on 2 main levels plus taverna.
Ground floor:
Impressive main sitting room in former church, leads to lovely covered loggia outside;
1 study-bedroom with double sofa-bed; shower room/toilet;
Second lounge/dining room (with table for 6), double doors to courtyard garden;
Farmhouse kitchen with large open fireplace, dishwasher, microwave;
Utility room (washing machine, dryer); guest toilet;
Lower ground:
Large taverna, with wine racks and dining table for 8;
First floor:
2 double bedrooms, 1 with en-suite shower room,
1 twin bedroom; guest bathroom (with shower).
Outside:
In addition to the courtyard garden, there is a covered loggia for sitting outside, and a few minutes walk around vineyards takes you to the property’s field with fruit frees (suitable for ball games, etc.) and hillside woodland.