Villa della Torre is a large, historic estate halfway between Florence and Siena (22 miles each), perched on a hilltop amidst a lush green countryside. This location is outstanding: From the garden you can enjoy stunning views of the gentle rolling hills, vineyards, olive trees leading to the extraordinary ancient towers of San Gimignano in the distance. The valley below is of rare beauty. The antique tower dates back to around the year 1000, the villa itself and the adjoining buildings to the middle of the 18th century. The massive walls, high wood-panelled ceilings, arches, wall friezes and wall frescoes, stuccoes and hand-painted ceilings in some of the rooms enhance the special atmosphere of this ancient house. Until recently used as the summer retreat for a Florentine family the villa has now been carefully divided into holiday apartments. All the original materials have been preserved or harmoniously matched with contemporary equivalents during this restoration that converted this grand Villa into different apartments. The individual rooms are designed to preserve the elegance of times past and, at the same time, provide comfort for present-day guests.
All apartments have retained a charming ancient character due to the original antique furniture. Tuscan colored walls, terracotta floors, beautiful mirrors with gold-painted baroque frames create a charming atmosphere resonant with history and art. This estate guarantees a lot of privacy: altogether the apartments occupy an area of 900 m2 and each has its own outdoor area. The lovely outdoor spots are located either in the large garden, under the old holm oaks, on a terrace or in an inner court at the rear of the villa. The beautiful classical Tuscan garden with hand-carved stone balusters is laid out on the south side of the villa. Rosemary and lavender bushes line the path to the large and elegant pool, which is spectacularly located on a plateau of English lawn and sits high above the valley. Even when swimming in the pool you can savour the enchanting view of one of the most beautiful Chianti valleys. The panoramic view is magnificent, maybe even unsurpassable. And to add to your pleasure, the park and the pool are romantically lit in the evening. It may sound exaggerated but we want to say it: you can feel the surface of the globe here!
Location of the apartments:
Four apartments are located inside the villa (Torre, Affresco, Caminetto and Terrazza). Other four (Oleandri, Le Volte, Cortile and Nido) are located in adjoining buildings at the rear of the villa (not towards the garden). Two apartments (Giardino and Bellavista) are located also in adjoining buildings but are in the garden of the villa.
Outdoor areas of the apartments:
Each apartment has its own private outdoor area: Torre, Affresco and Caminetto inside the garden in front of the villa; Giardino and Bellavista just in front of the apartment located towards the garden; Terrazza has it's own private and panoramic terrace; Oleandri, Le Volte, Cortile and Nido have their outdoor area outside the walls of the villa, in the separate inner court with well - Oleandri and Le Volte just in front of the apartment, Cortile and Nido just a few steps down (approx. 5 m distant).
TORRE:
Torre is located in the villa, on the Piano Nobile (elegant upper floor), in the imposing medieval tower. The apartment is traditionally furnished with antiques in plain country-house style and it is equipped with air conditioning. The height of the tower room ceiling gives the ambience here an added touch of class. View of the garden. The outdoor area of Torre is located in the garden of the villa.
Only the four apartments Torre, Affresco, Terrazza and Caminetto are located in the villa and share the impressive entrance hall of the villa.
AFFRESCO:
Affresco is located in the villa, on the Piano Nobile (elegant upper floor). Affresco offers elegance on a small scale. This tiny apartment bears more resemblance to a bedroom than to an apartment, but it is charming and romantic with walls and ceilings adorned with frescoes in subdued colours. It is equipped with air conditioning. View of the garden. The outdoor area of Affresco is located in the garden of the villa.
UN SPECIAL REQUEST UPON BOOKING AFFRESCO AND TERRAZZA COULD CONNECT THROUGH IN INNER DOOR LEADING TO A CORRIDOR. RENTED TOGETHER THEY FORM AN APARTMENT FOR 4+1 PEOPLE.
TERRAZZA:
Terrazza is located in the villa, on the Piano Nobile (elegant upper floor). It is equipped with air conditioning (except in the kitchen) and has a private 70 m2 terrace in front of the apartment, accessible from the living room and the bedroom. The terrace is equipped with shadow roof, table, chairs and sunloungers. The panoramic view of the valley is very beautiful.
TIP: TERRAZZA and AFFRESCO can be connected by a door in a corridor, and rented together they form a particulary beautiful apartment for 4+1 people.
TIP: The three apartments TORRE, AFFRESCO and TERRAZZA rented together, are particularly suitable for 3 couples travelling together. Together they form a large detached unit measuring 240 sqm and comprising the entire upper floor of the villa. Please have a look at the LA GRANDE TERRAZZA house description.
CAMINETTO:
Caminetto is located on the upper ground floor of the villa. This upper ground floor is accessable via a flight of outdoor steps (see picture of the facade). As it has two bedrooms and two bathrooms it is ideal for two couples travelling together. The outdoor area of Caminetto is located in the garden of the villa.
OLEANDRI:
Oleandri is located in an adjoining building on the rear of the villa (the park is on the other side). It is a bright apartment built on two floors. Views of oleander bushes and the drive. The outdoor area is located in front of the apartment.
LE VOLTE:
Le Volte is located in an adjoining building on the rear of the villa (the park is on the other side). The apartment is laid out on the ground floor (two steps lead into the kitchen). This apartment used to house the riding stables of the estate. Its outstanding feature is the large, somewhat dark living room (a plus in summer!) with fireplace with its beautiful, antique brick ceiling vaults, resting on a central pillar. The long, wooden dining table can seat a larger group of people. The apartment can be accessed through a courtyard containing a fountain. Both the bedroom and the larger living room with additional bed have exits to the courtyard, the two exits are especially convenient if you are travelling with three persons. The courtyard is equipped with tables and chairs for the units Le Volte, Nido and Cortile. The outdoor area of Le Volte is located in front of the apartment.
GIARDINO:
Giardino is located in an adjoining building in the garden of the villa. The apartment is laid out on the ground floor. A glass door in the living room opens to the outdoor area in front of the apartment.
BELLAVISTA:
Bellavista is located in an adjoining building in the garden of the villa. Some steps in the garden lead to the apartment. Bellavista is laid out on the ground floor and has a very beautiful view. The living room with large windows is equipped with air-conditioning. The outdoor area is located in front of the apartment.
CORTILE:
Cortile is located in an adjoining building on the rear of the villa (the park is on the other side), on the first floor. As it has two bedrooms and two bathrooms it is ideal for two couples travelling together. It allows a lot of sunlight to shine in and offers a beautiful view of the garden and the countryside. In addition, in the hot season it stays cool. Cortile can be accessed through the courtyard containing tables and chairs for eating and drinking outside.
NIDO:
Nido is located in an adjoining building on the rear of the villa (the park is on the other side), on the first floor. As it has two bedrooms and only one bathroom it is ideal for a family with two children. Nido can be accessed through the courtyard containing tables and chairs for eating and drinking outside.