Fortilizio 6

Fortilizio, situated at the edge of the town of Rapolano Terme, on a hilltop overlooking the Val di Chiana and the plain of the Sentino, and surrounded by woods of oak and chestnut trees, is an old watchtower, part of the larger complex of the "Castellare di Sarri," a thousand-year old fortified medieval hamlet of Lombard origin which, over the centuries, has retained its original structure, enclosed in large town walls, containing an armoury which later became a church with valuable, restored, fourteenth century frescoes and a second watchtower, which is currently the owners’ house. In an independent position and carefully converted by the current owners to become a comfortable country home, Fortilizio has maintained unaltered its architectural structure with the thick external and internal walls (ensuring pleasant temperatures either in the summer and in the winter) of the ground floor in open-face stone. For the internal décor tradition and local materials prevail: ceilings with exposed beams and tiles, floors in split slate and yellow Siena stone; the rooms are enriched with antique furniture but with customized details giving a touch of originality and lightness to the ancient charm of the building. A holiday in this charming hamlet, immersed in a natural oasis rich in history and art and very close to the famous spa town of Rapolano, is a unique opportunity to revitalize body and spirit in an experience involving all the senses. The proximity to major road links also make it an excellent starting point for exploring the many rural villages with their excellent cuisine in the immediate vicinity and for visiting the major art cities both in Tuscany and in nearby Umbria. The house is located about 70 metres from that of the owners, who stay only occasionally in the property and can be a useful reference point for guests to whom, however, complete privacy and exclusive use of the pool and of the park is guaranteed. In order to see more pictures of the medieval hamlet please visit the web site: <a href="http://www.castellaredisarri.org" target="_blank">www.castellaredisarri.org</a>
Interior:
The house has two floors. The entrance on the ground floor leads on the right to the kitchen, toilet and laundry and, on the left, to the dining room and from there to the sitting room with sofas and satellite TV. A staircase in the entrance hall leads up to the first floor consisting of a twin bedroom with joinable beds with en-suite bathroom with shower and two double bedrooms, one with bed 1,40 m wide, sharing a bathroom with tub. This floor is completed by a sitting/reading room with sofas and fireplace.
Air conditioning only in the bedrooms and in the living room of the first floor.
Park:
The estate in which the house is situated covers an area of about 40 hectares, most of which are covered by woodland and, for a hectare and a half, by an olive grove. The park is completely fenced-in for about 1 hectare; here lawns alternate with paths and paved areas, everywhere flanked by colourful borders, medicinal plants, tall trees and fruit trees. The area of the hamlet belonging to the house has independent and direct access from the car park at the rear of the house, at the end of the inner, oleander-lined driveway and is bordered by a shady pine wood and by a large well-kept garden. In this green area framed by olive trees, in front of the French window at the entrance and kitchen and protected by the cool shade of a majestic walnut tree, an outdoor dinning/living area has been set up, surrounded by hydrangeas, hibiscus and jasmine.Please notice that photos are taken in spring, therefore flower blossoming, and the colours of the gardens' grass could be different at the moment of your arrival at the villa.
Swimming Pool:
Perfectly integrated in the hamlet, the pool is situated in a private, fenced-off area of the property, a few metres from the house and accessible through a gate for the safety of children, surrounded by a dense forest vegetation and framed on one side by a wall adorned with a rich assortment of succulent plants and bushes of colourful flowers. It is lined in cream-coloured PVC with travertine border; large steps lead down into the water and it has a hot-water outdoor shower. It measures 7 x 15 m with the depth varying from 1.2 m to 2 m. It has salt purification. The sunbathing area, with Tuscan travertine paving, is dominated by a large oak tree creating natural coolness and is equipped with sunbeds, deckchairs, little table, and lighting. The pool is open from the last Saturday in May to the last Saturday in September.
Pets: Yes, small size. € 50,00 per animal per week or part of week. Acceptance of animals to the facility must be previously authorized by the owner upon communication of the number of animals, size and breed.