IN A NUTSHELL:
'La Madonna del Bagno' is the last house on the hill above the village of Pergo. First and foremost, it is a family home, set in the midst of olive groves, woodlands and with its own pool. With three bedrooms (sleeping 6), a cozy living area full of books you can read on site, and open plan kitchen/dinning room, the house gives onto a large garden with a swimming pool at the bottom (which is for exclusive use of the guests). Various work stations and excellent WiFi are available for those who want to work remotely.
The house is attached to a rarely used church featuring an ancient fresco of a breast-feeding Madonna, symbolic of the location’s Etruscan and Roman roots and the 2000 year-old fame of the hill’s waters. Few places are more peaceful than here, with its views of olive groves, hillsides and valleys and its sounds of birds and leaves. The thick ancient walls keep out the summer heat and winter cold and its wooden ceiling beams and terracotta-tiled floors reflect the care given to respecting its architectural tradition. With WIFI available on site, it is 2 kms from Pergo bar/pizzeria; 3.5 kms from the nearest supermarket, 10 mins from Cortona with its restaurants, museums, music festivals, art exhibitions, shops and a vibrant summer time street nightlife; and 15 mins from the main railway connecting Florence + Rome. Numerous Tuscan and Umbrian towns of interest all within easy reach: Siena, Perugia, Montepulciano, Assisi, Arezzo, Pienza, Montalcino – to name a few. Hiking, sports, horse-riding all within easy reach.
FOR MORE DETAILS:
'La Madonna del Bagno' is the last house on the hill above the village of Pergo. First and foremost, it is a family home, with a pool, but it's also a uniquely located 16th Century restored farmhouse, that offers peace and quiet in the midst of the beautiful Tuscan countryside, surrounded by olive trees and wild oak and the seasonal wonders of Spanish broom and roses in spring, and lavender through the summer.
La Madonna del Bagno is a rustic, comfortable, well-loved home. It has original 500 year-old beamed ceilings and open fireplaces, terra cotta floors and soft hues, known for Tuscany, as well as a traditional wood oven. The house is attached to a rarely used church featuring an ancient fresco of a breast-feeding Madonna, symbolic of the location’s Etruscan and Roman roots and the 2000 year-old fame of the hill’s waters. Legend has it that the Greek hero Ulysses is buried in a nearby field.
Nestled in gardens and lawns, the house looks onto the Val di Chiana on one side, with Mount Amiata in the distance, and has wonderful views of the Val d’ Esse from the poolside.
The property is perfect for a family or group of friends to enjoy the true Tuscan experience. Only 10 minutes away from this peaceful haven lies Cortona, the famous medieval town, with centuries of stories being told by its walls and piazzas. Cortona enjoys a wide selection of restaurants, music festivals, art exhibitions, shops from luxury boutiques to local produce and a vibrant summer time street nightlife. As well as Cortona, there are an array of other Tuscan and Umbrian towns of interest all within easy reach: Siena, Perugia, Montepulciano, Assisi, Arezzo, Pienza, Montalcino – to name a few. None of these places demand more than an hour’s car ride, and many much less. Even Florence is just over an hour on the train.
Besides the historical, cultural and culinary delights, for the energetic, there are plenty of sporting opportunities – from wonderful hikes straight out the back door and up into the hills or down into the valleys below, golf on a brand new course, horse riding and water sports on nearby Lake Trasimeno.
Although the last house on the hill, it is still only 2 km away from the valley floor and the village of Pergo from a pizzeria and a bar/ café where you can enjoy your morning cappuchino; and 3.5 kms from the nearest supermarket. It’s 15 minutes from the main railway connecting Florence and Rome. It is at the centre of central Italy and yet is also perfectly apart.
The 3-floor building is divided. We rent the two upper floors consisting of a large and comfortable sitting room, with its open fireplace, scores of books, TV/DVD player and numerous films, WIFI, an open plan kitchen/ dinning room, three bedrooms (1 king with ensuite bathroom, 1 double and 1 twin), along with an additional bathroom. The house opens out onto a large shaded terrace with garden chairs and a dinning table for 6, and an extensive lawn with the swimming pool equipped with lounging chairs and can be lit at night. A long wooden picnic table is carefully situated under a pine tree ensuring shade during the day, and for warm evenings, subtly lit-up for al-fresco dining. A barbeque is available.
Over the years the house has been equipped as per guest’s requests: BBQ, dishwashers, microwave, toaster, ice cream maker, kitchen appliances, ceiling/floor fans in bedrooms, television sets with dvd players.
The house comes with linen, bath and swimming towels. A weekly clean is included for those staying for two or more weeks, while additional cleaning and cooking can be arranged (at extra cost). A baby cot, child’s bed and high chair are available.
The pool (8x4 m / roughly 26x13 ft) has a variety of lounging chairs, and is purposely placed to enjoy maximum sunshine. It has a specially designed etched out corner (2x2 m /roughly 6x6 ft), with wide steps for readers and paddlers, and can be lit at night.
The pool is opened when the average nightly temperature is above 18°C. Pets are welcomed and dogs can be kept closed and happy in the fenced and shady lower garden. Charcoal/ firewood for cooking/ heating is available, pool toys, dvds and books and any reasonable request may be placed in advance.
Both the pool and gardens are discreetly looked after, ensuring peace at all times.
We are happy to organise historical and cultural tours, guided walks, spa days, cooking, ceramics, riding, language and painting lessons.
Accessibility
- the upper unit is accessible to guests needing wheelchairs, although not designed as such. It is readily accessed with all facilities (bedroom, bathroom, kitchen/dining and sitting room) on the same level, and one step up onto the veranda and another to enter the house.
The lower floor is reserved for the landlords should they want to use it. The upper floors have total privacy, with their own entrance, parking and exclusive use of the pool.