T181: Medieval Village in Tuscany with 30 Houses

Casentino, Tuscany

The Area

Situated in the Eastern part of Tuscany on the border with Emilia-Romagna, the Casentino Valley is surrounded by impressive mountain ridges. Here the river Arno is still young - its source at Monte Falterona is not far away.

The Casentino valley is in the heartland of the province of Arezzo and includes the Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi, one of the best-preserved and most extensive woodlands in Italy, boasting a fantastic variety of fauna and flora.

The village is about 48 km (30 miles) from Florence. Travelling eastwards from Florence past Lucca, the traditional landscape of Tuscany - gentle hilly slopes covered with olive groves and vineyards - gives way to the spectacular Apennine mountains. Crossing the Consuma Pass (1,060 metres, 3,400 ft) unveils an area of majestic forests, fantastic panoramas and great natural beauty. The ancient monasteries of Camaldoli and Verna, and the picturesque villages and towns of Vallombrosa, Stia, Poppi, Porciano, Romena and Bibiena boast a wealth of art and architecture, witnesses to a rich heritage going back to the Etruscans. The fortresses and castles of the area are today a magnet for tourists from all over the world, and the beautiful Renaissance town centre of Arezzo rivals Siena and Florence.

Situation

The medieval village is not far from the small town of Stia. With one of the most beautiful town squares in Tuscany, Stia has good shopping facilities, excellent restaurants and hotels, and a train station. The village for sale is situated on a mountain above Stia, and is currently only accessible via a rough and fairly steep woodland track.

There are two further forest tracks leading to the village, and for any further development one of these tracks will need to be converted into a surfaced access road. If a restoration project for the village is initiated, government grants will be made available for this road construction.

The Village

The existence of a complete and original medieval village for sale not far from Florence is a unique development opportunity. The village comprises 30 dwellings, many of which are overgrown by thick vegetation. The village was entirely self-sufficient and occupied until 1960 - earlier in the last century between 130 and 150 people lived and worked there. At the back of the village is a large elevated grassy area, perfectly suited to the creation of sports facilities, car parks, etc. There is plentiful water - the village includes a spring, a quite unusual occurence in mostly arid Tuscany - and the nearest electricty supply is only about 100 m (300 ft) away.

All buildings are of stone construction, and the roofs - as far as they still exist - have stone tiles. The village would be an ideal project for a hotel village, club hotel, spa hotel or similar - alternatively, independent lots could be created and sold individually. The current area of the village is about 7,000 sq m (70,000 sq ft) and a total area of 12,000 to 13,000 sq m (120,000 to 130,000 sq ft) will get a development permit. As an alternative to an outright sale, the current owner will also consider a partnership with a potential developer.

Services

Well-drawn water, mains electricity nearby

Viewing

Strictly by appointment with the sole agents, Piedmont Properties

Our personal opinion: A truly unique property with great potential for a commercial project in a very peaceful location in the heart of Tuscany. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

More Pictures are available of this property.

For more information contact us quoting reference T181. Please note that all quoted measurements are approximate.