Villa 8 sovrum, 847 m²

Cortona, Arezzo (provins)

A Historic Hilltop Castle / Villa Near Cortona: A Restoration Opportunity
Predominantly positioned on a hilltop just 20 kilometres from the renowned city of Cortona, famous for Frances Mayes' "Under the Tuscan Sun," lies a unique and beautiful 11th-century castle. Boasting spectacular panoramic views, this property offers a rare opportunity to restore a significant piece of Tuscan history. The estate comprises the main castello and a separate, self-contained cottage, both currently habitable but awaiting a comprehensive restoration to unleash their full potential.
Ideal as a large single home with guest cottage, or divided as 3 or more spacious appartments. Perfect as a boutique hotel/ wedding venue complete with chapel

Property Layout and Exterior Features:

Entry to the property is via a stone-pillared gateway, opening onto a charming courtyard.
* The Cottage: Located on the left of the courtyard, this self-contained cottage offers two rooms on the ground floor and three rooms plus a bathroom on the first floor. It is in need of restoration.
* Stable Block: Situated to the right of the courtyard, the stable block also requires restoration.
* Main Castello Approach: A broad, stone-paved ramp leads directly to the main entrance of the castle.
* Lower Level of Castello: To the right of the ramp are three large cantinas, two of which are barrel-vaulted, providing ample storage or potential for conversion. At the far end, a covered area houses the old bread oven, hinting at the property's rich history.
* Renaissance Chapel and Gardens: At the front of the castello, a pretty Renaissance chapel, surrounded by a lawn and elegant cypress trees, adds to the property's charm and historical significance. An elegant  terraced garden is connected to a lower terrace by an grand stone stairway, leading. Adjacent to the garden lies a chamimg olive grove .

The Main Castello: A Blend of History and Potential:
The castle itself is divided into a north and south wing, separated by an internal courtyard.
South Wing (16th Century Late Renaissance):

The main door leads into the 16th-century, late Renaissance south wing. This section underwent significant modifications in the early 20th century, introducing elegant features such as cantilevered stairways, Gothic-style windows, delicate iron balustrades, terraces, and a charming kitchen balcony.

* Ground Floor: The entrance hall features a barrel-vaulted ceiling. Two principal rooms boast high ceilings and Gothic French windows. One opens onto a delightful Juliet balcony, while the other leads to a large terrace, both offering expansive panoramic views towards the Sibillini mountains. The latter room is particularly notable for its huge stone fireplace, dated 1570, adorned with a carved coat of arms of the Medici family. Between these two principal rooms is a small, high room with its own Gothic-styled French window leading to the main terrace. To the side of the fireplace, steps descend to two smaller rooms.

* First Floor: An elegant stone staircase, constructed in 1916, sweeps up from the entrance hall, linking the south and north wings. On the first-floor landing, to the left (south wing), there is a self-contained apartment. This comprises a master bedroom with access to a modern bathroom, a second bedroom, a living room, and a kitchen. All windows in this apartment are double-glazed, and it benefits from central heating. The ceilings on this floor have been sandblasted, exposing the original beauty of the chestnut beams and terracotta tiles.

* Second Floor: The second floor of the south wing contains two rooms and an attic.
North Wing:

* First Floor: Accessed from the main landing, to the right (north wing first floor), is a large drawing room. This room features impressive double-aspect windows with deep bays, formed from the castle's exceptionally thick walls, offering beautiful near and far views. Behind this drawing room are four additional rooms, two of which have en-suite shower rooms. The ceilings on this floor have also been sandblasted, revealing the original chestnut beams and terracotta tiles.

* Top Floor (Second Floor of North Wing): The stairs continue from the landing to the top floor, which largely replicates the layout of the floor below. This area has been partly restored to a builder's finish. Notably, two of the rooms have been opened up to create one large space, connected by an impressive Serena stone arch. The ceilings on this floor have been sandblasted, revealing the original chestnut beams and terracotta tiles.

* Attic: Above this floor, there is an attic.

Renovation Details:
Throughout much of the building, the ceilings on the first floor of the south wing and the first and second floors of the north wing have undergone sandblasting,  exposing the  beautiful original chestnut beams and terracotta tiles. Furthermore, new wiring and fuse boxes have been installed in most of the building, providing a solid foundation for further restoration work.