8 bedrooms villa, 500 m²

Pescaglia, Lucca (province)

Borgo Puccini, Celle dei Puccini, Lucca, Tuscany
Borgo della Madonnina is a hamlet of an historic farmhouse and three cottages situated in a beautiful wooded valley in the hills above Lucca, at the start of the Garfagnana National Park.
The houses date from the mid 1700s and have many original features, including exposed stone walls and original ceilings with chestnut beams and cotto tiles. The property is set in three and a half hectares of pine and chestnut wood, with over 100 abundant olive trees and other fruit trees, with beautiful views over the valley. The small swimming pool and its sun terrace seem to hover over the trees – ideal for lounging in the Tuscan sunshine.
The houses are:
Casa Grande (240 square metres)
The original, three story farmhouse. Currently laid out with two double bedrooms, three large sitting rooms, large dining room, massive kitchen, family bathroom and utility/shower room. Easily rearranged as four bedrooms.
La Roccia (90 square metres)
The converted barn. Two double bedrooms, large shower room, eat-in kitchen with fireplace, double sitting room with fireplace. A simple wall to divide sitting room would create third bedroom.
La Stalla (60 square metres)
The converted stable. Pretty sitting room, small kitchen, double bedroom and shower room.
Il Forno (60 square metres)
The converted bakehouse. Pretty sitting room with original working, full-size pizza/bread oven, small kitchen, double bedroom and shower room.
The Entrance
Borgo della Madonnina is accessed via a long concrete drive. At the end of this is a wall with large wrought iron gates. Next to the gates is a shrine dating from the 1740s, which is also owned by the property. This has an original, marble bas-relief of the Virgin Mary when she was ‘with child’, hence the name Borgo della Madonnina.
The Swimming Pool
The pool measures 8 metres by 4 metres and seems to hang above the trees, giving wonderful views across the valley. The whole area was remodelled in 2004, with the addition of a brick path with stone steps, a large brick patio area and a wooden deck suspended over the valley.
Services
Borgo della Madonnina is connected to mains water, which is metered, and mains electricity. There are two gas tanks, one of 1,500 litres and the other of 1,000 litres. These are filled twice a year by tanker. All of the buildings have full independent gas central heating. Casa della Madonnina is heated by a new euro 10,000 Thermorossi furnace, which burns wood. It is far more economical to heat such a large house in this way, although the system can be switched to gas if necessary.
Each of the houses has a new, gas combination boiler. There is an annual service contract with a local, registered technician.
Location, Location, Location
Borgo della Madonina is close to Celle dei Puccini, one time home of the Puccini family, and the beautiful hill village of Pescaglia, perched at
the top of a steep hillside. Bordered by the forested Appenines to the east and the Apuan Alps to the west, the Garfagnana area is one of alpine meadows, lush hills, rivers and gorges, making it ideal for walkers and hikers.
The Medieval and Renaissance glories of the walled city of Lucca are only 18 kilometres away, while Pisa and Florence are close enough for day trips. The glamorous beach resorts of Viareggio, Marina di Pietrasanta and Forte dei Marmi are only a short, but stunning drive across the Apuan Alps. Nearby, Barga and Torre del Lago have wonderful music and opera festivals throughout the summer.
Nearby there are three very warm and welcoming family owned restaurants, ‘Molin della Volpe’, a pleasant ten minute walk away, ‘La Fonte’ in Trebbio, a five minute drive away, and La Strepitosa, again a short five minute drive from the property.
The property has been successfully run as a holiday lettings business for the past ten years and could very easily continue in this way, or be used as a private family estate.