LA NOVELLINA
In Fiano, Tuscany
Sleeps 9 with swimming pool, air-conditioned bedrooms
What guests are saying about this property: “It really felt like a home away from home. Spectacular views — Our own bit of Tuscany!” - S. Barstow, Broomall, PA... More comments
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This beautiful home lies halfway between Florence (16 miles) and Siena (27 miles) in the county of Certaldo (birthplace of Giovanni Boccaccio). La Novellina is 1 mile from Fiano (it is possible to walk over the fields) and 3 miles from Tavarnelle Val di Pesa where you will find grocery shops, gas stations, bakeries, post office, bus stop and restaurants. Airports are at nearby Florence or Pisa (42 miles). San Gimignano is 14 miles away and the coast and ferry to Corsica and Sardinia is 65 miles away. The farm is 15 minutes from the autostrada that links Siena with Florence. The surrounding area has been inhabited since antiquity. Within the radius of a few miles, one can find relics of every epoch: Etruscan tombs, medieval cities, 14th century castles, and Baroque churches.

The house is surrounded by vineyards, olive groves and cypress trees in a landscape modeled by centuries of farmers' patient toil. From the Middle Ages, the Chianti countryside was dotted with tower-houses in tufa and stone. These houses could become forts when necessary. They had few windows and were on hilltops dominating the surrounding territory. Along the Chianti-Roman Road that led from Florence to Rome, there arose churches and villages to serve the traveler. Then the struggle between Florence and Siena transformed the Chianti area into a strategic zone. Castles and fortified towns sprang up. When peace finally came to Tuscany, the landowners again turned their attention to agriculture. A house for the bailiff was built on the castle grounds; the tower houses became farmhouses; and the countryside, characterized by a network of olive groves and vineyards, took the form we know today.

The house is now part of a sixty-nine acre estate that specializes in the production of extra virgin olive oil. The owner is a descendant of Baldesar Castiglione, politician and scholar of the 16th century (see his portrait painted by Raphael in the Louvre next to that of the Mona Lisa). She studied at the College of S.S. Annunziata at Poggio Imperiale, Florence, where she learned to love art, history and culture. The desire to promote the culture of her land led her to open her house to European and American artists and people of culture. The villa, which was furnished for her own family with great care, is one of our most beautiful, comfortable and authentic properties. The Italian-speaking mother of the owner also lives on the estate. She is on hand to help you with any problems that may arise but she will be careful not to intrude on your privacy in any way.

The Villa

The central structure of the house is a tower of the 11th century; the wings were added later. Behind it is the castle of S. Maria Novella and in front, the panoramic view is interrupted only by the ancient towers of San Gimignano and by the medieval S. Lazzaro in Lucardo. The house has been completely restored, taking care to respect its original form. The old structure has been consolidated and when possible, the original material re-used. There is about 300 sq. meters of floor space, generous space for nine people. The pool is 26 ft in diameter x 4 ft. deep.

The house is built on three floors and is furnished with original antiques. On the ground floor is a small entrance hall and a large large kitchen built on two levels, with a huge wood-burning pizza oven, stone sink, dining table, modern sink and dishwasher, stove with six gas burners, gas oven and clothes washer. There is a double bedroom (king bed) with en suite bathroom with tub, three steps up from the main level. Both the kitchen and the ground floor bedroom can be accessed from the exterior of the villa (avoiding the steps for guests with walking problems), but please be aware that there are a few steps here and there throughout the ground floor.

A central hallway on the second floor leads to a large living room with fireplace and a covered balcony. There are three bedrooms on this level: one with king bed and en suite bathroom (shower and tub), a twin bedroom (beds can not be joined as they are located on opposite walls, with a door between them), a single bedroom, and a bathroom with shower. An additional double bedroom (bed is between queen and king) with en suite bathroom with shower is located on the third floor, but access to this bedroom is lower than usual, so watch your head going up the stairs!

Outside is the loggia for dining al fresco, a swimming pool (26 ft. in diameter x 4 ft. deep; nicely set above-ground pool, not suitable for overly large or tall guests), and a bathroom with shower whose entrance is outside the kitchen (especially useful during the pool season). The owner has added mosquito screens, a clothes dryer, a large refrigerator with icemaker, a gas BBQ and bedroom air conditioning.

Cooking lessons are available at Novellina. Chef Ceppatelli will teach you to prepare classic dishes of Tuscan cuisine, and you'll go home with a recipe book!