Overlooking a stream and waterfall and set in to a hillside, the ancient mill house has a sunny terrace next to a shaded portico with its original bread oven. The stream runs alongside - a few meters along a wooded trail, you can go down to rock pools in a glade. The house has 2 main levels, which you can use together - or choose a degree of independence. Each has its own entrance, bathroom and living areas; they are connected by a short internal stair. You’ll have the entire house. Twenty minutes walk to San Giustino - a small town with bars, shops, bank, pharmacy, pizzerias and a good restaurant. Walking a little further takes you to a great restaurant in the next valley at Cospaia, or up the hill to pizzeria at Corposano.The walled medieval towns of Sansepolcro (5km) and Citta di Castello (20 mins drive) offer more great restaurants, markets, concerts , festivals and traditions. Hilltowns Anghiari, Citerna and Monterchi are a short drive or ride, so it is a great base from which to enjoy their traditional life and cuisine - and also to visit other fantastic cities like Urbino, Gubbio, Arezzo, Assisi, Perugia and Firenze. Located where the foothills of Alpe de la Luna meet the Upper Tiber Valley, it's a perfect base for walking, painting or cycling - mountains, hills and broad valley are all within easy reach, with well-connected paths and routes. It’s a traditional area where old skills are kept alive. The mill building reminds us how people coexisted with nature, farming and preparing food. Renovations began in 1990, and have kept its rustic character and simplicity, while providing all that you need for a comfortable stay in an intriguing part of history. It’s well equipped for cooking, playing, exploring, relaxing. It has WIFi, woodstove, guitar, books, outdoor furniture on the terrace and portico. The ancient building - with its thick stone walls, chestnut beams and terracotta floors - was built robustly, to work with the water to make power. Restoring this purpose is our goal. The original mill equipment sits in its original place at the base of the building, awaiting restoration. An adventurous and absorbing location for children - with abundant fauna and flora. Please note that there are steep drops, so smaller children always need supervision. The rockpools are just as nature provides: the river’s character and flow responds to rainfall so varies seasonally; the last 30 summers they have remained watery. The mill is located on an access lane which leads up the hill to a handful of houses, a farm and a few fields; it is not a through-road, but is tuned in to the rhythm of local farming life -mostly very quiet, but not remote. A friendly, tranquil rural location - cypresses and sunflowers, vineyards and olive groves. Beautiful walks, great views - just by walking up the hill from the house. Local agents live 5 mins away should anything need attention. The terrain is fantastic for cyclists as well as for walking. For bike rental, guided walks and rides: see www.hikeandbikeitaly.com. They can tailor a personalised custom service to individual needs - including organisation, local guides and transfers.
Outside: Upper (portico) level: portico with bread oven, table and chairs. Sundeck shaded by trees, parasol and supplied with loungers. Overlooks wooded trail, and path to rockpools. Between the house and the stream is a steep drop; this is separated from the terrace (down 4 stone steps) by a thick wall approx 80cm high.
Lower (pergola) level has paved pergola with table and chairs outside kitchen. A waterfall lies beneath the road bridge, near the approach to the house.
Inside the house, please note that 3 of the steps are a bit steep: between living area and kitchen. The original old wooden steps connect the upper and lower floors, and there is a short flight of wooden steps up to the top bedroom. Inside: Upper (Portico) Level: * Living room, with windows opening to the view and sound of the little waterfall below. In this spacious room is a large dining table seating 8 comfortably, a wood burning stove, and a lounge area including sofa bed. Games, guitar, speaker, CD player, and books provided. * 3 bedrooms: one double bedroom, 1 family bedroom with 1 double and 1 single bed; 1 bedroom having 2 single beds, * small but well - equipped kitchen - with door accessing the portico. * generously sized bathroom with shower (no bath) and bidet
Lower (pergola) Level: *Living room with dining table seating 4, a wood stove and easy chairs. *double bedroom with klng size bed *kitchen, opening to pergola * generously sized bathroom with wide shower (no bath) and bidet * two additional folding beds are available if required * separate laundry room * supply of firewood for wood stoves.
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Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is no smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
San Giustino
Located in San Giustino, this holiday home is in a rural area and on a river. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Monti Rognosi Nature Reserve and Tiber River, while Franco Alessandrini Foundation and Aboca Museum are cultural highlights. Labirinto and Centro Culturale Islamico are also worth visiting. Discover the area's water adventures with fishing and swimming nearby, or enjoy the great outdoors with mountain biking and cycling.
Foreste Casentinesi-Monte Falterona-Campigna National Park - 44 min drive - 42.5 km
Sanctuary of La Verna - 56 min drive - 47.1 km
Piazza Grande - 58 min drive - 47.3 km
Cathedral of Saints Peter and Donato - 59 min drive - 48.3 km
Getting around
Giovi Station - 40 min drive
Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi – Umbria Intl. Airport (PEG) - 55 min drive
Restaurants
Ristorante Il Borghetto - 10 min drive
Pizzeria Ma.Mi - 13 min drive
Ciaobar - 10 min drive
Ristorante Enoteca Berchi - 9 min drive
Caffè Delle Stanze - 8 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Does Restored Watermill with Rock Pool and Waterfall have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.
Is Restored Watermill with Rock Pool and Waterfall pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 1 total).
How much is parking at Restored Watermill with Rock Pool and Waterfall?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Restored Watermill with Rock Pool and Waterfall?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Restored Watermill with Rock Pool and Waterfall?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Restored Watermill with Rock Pool and Waterfall located?
Situated on a river, this holiday home is 1 mi (1.6 km) from Labirinto and within 6 miles (10 km) of Franco Alessandrini Foundation and Aboca Museum. House of Piero della Francesca and Tourist Office Arezzo Valley are also within 6 miles (10 km).
About the host
Hosted by maggie
We spent many years gradually restoring this intriguing place after we found it in1989 - the project cemented our friendship and our love of Umbria. While we worked together on the restoration, our families grew to love the place - people, cuisine, culture and wildlife - during our visits. With a special calm and beautiful magic all of its own, It's a great place to consolidate friendships and families.
The restoration was a fascinating process of learning about Italian building traditions, since 3 of us were architects in UK. We live and work in the north of England, and visit our haven as often as we can. Increasingly, we're able to stay for longer - to work, to continue improvements, to cycle and walk the hills - and to join with friends in Umbrian traditions of the Valtiberina.
Why they chose this property
The ancient mill sits robustly into its hillside alongside the stream with its waterfall. For centuries a crucial contributor to San Giustino's food supply, the mill building reminds us how people coexisted in nature - and their skills in farming and preparing food. It’s a traditional area where old skills are kept alive. The ancient building - with its thick stone walls, chestnut beams and terracotta floors - was built purposefully and with great strength, to work with the water to make power. Restoring its purpose - turning the energy of water into power - remains our goal. Renovations began in 1990, and have kept its rustic simplicity, while providing all that you need for a comfortable stay in an intriguing part of history. We love the beautiful hills, the intricacy and intimacy of the hilltowns, the exquisite medieval cultural traditions of the walled city of Sansepolcro, and the quiet discoveries of nature on the mountain pathways of St Francis. Family life is slow and gentle here, and there are few overseas visitors, so we find a warm welcome. Never far from choice frescoes, good swimming places, renaissance architectural gems and fantastic trattorias, each new visitor shows us new ways to appreciate the Valtiberina. We've found that it's a great base for cycling (popular here) as well as walking. The range of bikes we can hire from www.hikeanbikeitaly.com seem to suit friends of all abilities - which makes it a thrill to explore hills and valleys for some distance around - and you're never far from a fantastic trattoria. We have learned to appreciate the crafts of growing, harvesting and producing food, particular species of plants and animals, and the balanced landscape of horticulture, wildness and traditional settlements.
What makes this property unique
The sound of the stream from the house, the songs of nightjars, the hoot of the owl. From the windows of the upper living room - level with the tree tops - the occasional sighting of herons, dippers, watching the birds and squirrels in the trees, the May magic of the fireflies. A quick dip in the rockpool - illuminated by dappled sun through the clear stream - and kids learning to love the water and climbing the little waterfall by the side of the pool, wading for tadpoles upstream with its smooth pebble base. Returning from a mountain cycle ride, plunge to cool off and rehydrate in the rockpool. A walk over the hill for groceries or to the bar, to a restaurant, and stroll back for a sound nights sleep lulled by the sound of the waterfall. Making pizza with friends and neighbours in the bread oven.... an evening on the terrace.. or dinner for all in the portico by candlelight.