REF. CODE: 2283 TYPE: rustic villas CONDITION: restored POSITION: hilly, panoramic (250 m asl) MUNICIPALITY: Pistoia PROVINCE: Pistoia REGION: Tuscany SIZE: 950 square meters (10,222 square feet) TOT. N° OF ROOMS: 22 BEDROOMS: 11 BATHROOMS: 12 FEATURES: stone and brick walls, original terracotta floors, wooden beams, brick arches, stone steps, pietra serena decorations, iron railings, double glazing, original stone fireplaces, Tuskish bath, whirlwind tubs, in-house gym, infinity-edge swimming pools, garden, olive grove, automated gates, parking areas ANNEX: pool dressing area ACCESS: excellent, paved road POOL: 12 × 6 m (Orfeo) | 16 × 8 m (Euridice) ELECTRICITY: already connected WATER: mains water TELEPHONE: already connected ADSL: yes GAS: LPG HEATING: under the floor GARDEN: yes, well maintained LAND: 6.8 hectares (16.8 acres)
NEAREST TOWNS
Town with services (4km; 10’), Montecatini Terme (6km; 15’), Pistoia (13km; 20’), Lucca (37km; 40’), Viareggio (56km; 50’), Pisa (57km; 50’), Forte dei Marmi (66km; 55’), Florence (69km; 1h), Volterra (82km; 1h 30’), Castellina in Chianti (88km; 1h 10’), San Gimignano (100km; 1h 25’), Monteriggioni (103km; 1h 20’), Siena (119km; 1h 30’), Montepulciano (160km; 1h 55’), Pienza (167km; 2h)
NEAREST AIRPOTRS
Firenze A. Vespucci (46km; 35’), Pisa G. Galilei (65km; 50’), Bologna G. Marconi (128km; 1h 30’), Grosseto C. Baccarini (209km; 2h 15’), Roma Ciampino (338km; 3h 25’), Roma Fiumicino (352km; 3h 30’)
PRICE
EUR 6.900.000,00
DESCRIPTION
RESTORED VILLA FOR SALE ONE HOUR FROM FLORENCE, TUSCANY
These restoredrusticvillas are located in the hills of Tuscany, not far from Pistoia and MontecatiniTerme. Nestled on the top of a hill, in a very panoramic position, the two 18th-century villas (850 sqm in total) have been finely restored to retain their charm and are currently rented out with excellent results (11 rooms, for up to 30 guests). The buildings are surrounded by a 6.8-hectare park that houses two infinity-edge pools and a large olive grove.
Services are all available in the nearby village (4km; 10'), and the city of Pistoia is about a fifteen-hour drive away. Tuscany's most beautiful art cities (Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa, Lucca...) are all within a less than two-hour drive. For lovers, Montecatini Terme Golf Course is less than 10 km away.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDINGS, STATE AND FINISHES
Villa Orpheus (500 sqm – 5,380 sqft, 7 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms) dates back to the 18th century and is structured on two floors.
On the ground floor is the villa's large living area, consisting of two eat-in kitchens with respective dining rooms next to them, three living rooms with fireplaces, sitting room with TV, billiard room, small laundry and service bathroom. Above the living room is a loft bedroom that can be reached via a short staircase. Going upstairs is the sleeping area consisting of four bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and two rooms with shared bathrooms.
The villa's 12 × 6 m swimming pool is located on a natural terrace set just below the villa, and from here the view opens as far as the eye can see over the valley below. The infinity-edge pool features both whirlpool corner and night lighting, as well as a changing room with a shower and toilet. The pH of the water is automatically adjusted, and the pool has a filtration system that removes chlorine.
The pool solarium is paved in terracotta tiles, and just below the pool, to the right, is a relaxation area with a shaded gazebo and chairs.
Villa Eurydice (350 sqm – 3,766 sqft, 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms) also dates from the 18th century and is structured on two floors as well. The building opens with a small entrance that gives access on the right to a bedroom and on the left to a bathroom. Continuing straight ahead one arrives at the central living room connected to the kitchen and the formal dining room with fireplace. Upstairs is the master bedroom with private bathroom (including a Turkish bath) and walk-in closet, and two bedrooms that share a bathroom in the hallway. Back to the entry, on the left is also a door leading into a private in-house gym.
The villa's 16 × 8 m swimming pool is located in the garden, and even from here the view opens over the valley and surrounding hills, as far as the eye can see. The infinity-edge pool features a large whirlpool area (with capacity for up to 8 people) and night lighting, as well as a changing room with two showers and a toilet. Again, the pH of the water is automatically adjusted, and the pool has a filtration system that removes chlorine.
The pool solarium is paved in terracotta tiles like the other, and at the far end of the area is a relaxation corner with a peculiar stone “theater”.
Both buildings have been finely renovated by the current owners with the aim of preserving the original style of the farmhouses, but adding refined details that give the property even more charm. Structurally, the buildings are made of the classic stone-and-brick mixture, while in terms of interior finishes the original terracotta floors have been preserved wherever possible, as have the wooden beams and pietra serena elements. Engraved stone fireplaces are still present, and the double-faced one located in the great hall of Villa Orfeo is particularly interesting.
EXTERIORS
The two villas are set in a private park of 6.8 hectares (16.8 acres) that stretches along the gentle slope of the hillside. The upper part of the park (about 6,000 sqm) lies on large flat terraces that end with the two swimming pools and is crossed by stone and terracotta paths that connect the various sections of the property.
Going down the hill we find a large olive grove (roughly 3.7 ha) and finally portions of mixed woodland (2.5 ha) that mark the boundaries of the property.
At the entrance of the property, closed by an automatic gate, is a private parking area that can accommodate up to five cars, very convenient given the current use of the property as an accommodation business.
The word Villa refers to an architectural typology whose meaning has evolved over the centuries. In the Roman Age, the villa was a house built for the upper classes. In the Post Roman Age, villa referred to a sort of village, similar to a fortified and self-sufficient farm whose inhabitants were called "villani" or "villici". It is with the architect and philosopher Leon Battista Alberti and his masterpieces Villa and De re edificatoria that the Villa starts to be considered as a place of pleasure and leisure. In the Renaissance villas, the first example of which is considered Villa Medici in Fiesole, the typically military and defensive features of rustic medieval castles are, for the first time, abandoned. This new conception of villa starts, therefore in Tuscany and, then, spreads to other courts of Italy and Europe. The Palladian villas, built in the sixteenth century in the area of Vicenza and along the Riviera del Brenta, represent examples that remained very influential for over four centuries.
It is very interesting to note how the term "villa" is commonly used in the English language. At the beginning of the eighteenth century, in fact, even in England this new architectural style became fashion and the word "villa" was so officially adopted also by the into English language. In the nineteenth century people began to talk about Villas simply referring to isolated buildings in the countryside, to emphasize the contrast with the houses joined together. This is a brief history of the architectural style protagonist of this portal, the Villa, whether we are talking about a farmhouse converted into a prestigious dwelling, a modern villa, a castle, a Medicean villa or a villa abroad.