3 bedrooms semi-detached house, 89 m²

Aulla, Massa-Carrara (province)

Lunigiana

Charming restored property set within an historic building tucked away in the heart of Aulla, with amenities on the doorstep. Ideal for those seeking a perfect blend of history and modernity, this three-storey property combines the convenience of contemporary living with exposed stone details and fascinating vaults that tell stories of a distant past.

The property is entered via a gated courtyard, shared with a small number of neighbours, with steps leading to a private entrance. Enter to a dramatic vaulted stone entrance hall. An ancient stone staircase leads to the first floor accommodation, offering bright and comfortable living comprising: central living room with pellet-fireplace, dining room, kitchen, and lounge. There is a bathroom with bath off the staircase. The elegant stone staircase continues to the second floor comprising: WC & laundry, shower room, walk-in wardrobe, and two bedrooms, one of which opens onto a large terrace, a wonderful space to relax and soak up the sun, or to enjoy an evening aperitivo.

The property also includes a garage at street level - a valuable convenience in the historic centre - which has an internal door opening into the central courtyard.

Perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in Italian town life, with amenities literally on the doorstep, without giving up the tranquillity of a historic retreat.

Aulla, the gateway to Lunigiana, is one the largest towns in the area. It is dominated by the massive fortress 'La Brunella' set high on the hill overlooking the town. With a fascinating and colourful history, the fortress now houses the Museum of Natural History of Lunigiana. The town has a good selection of independent shops, supermarkets, medical centre, mainline railway station and motorway junction. There is a good selection of excellent bars and cafes, pizzerias and places to eat, and a busy street market fills the town centre every Saturday morning.

There are many great day trips to explore. Lucca is a beautiful Tuscan town protected by massively thick 16th-century walls, featuring some of Italy's finest medieval and Renaissance architecture, superb dining, antique markets, classical and rock music at the Lucca Summer Festival and with easy access to stunning nearby villas in the surrounding hills. The central Piazza dell'Anfiteatro in the centre is stunning. Pietrasanta is a historic medieval and artistic town in northern Tuscany sometimes called the City of the Artists or Small Athens for its marble studios and monuments. It is an important centre for working marble and was used as a marble source by Michelangelo. And, of course, the art and architectural treasures of Florence are a must.

The Ligurian coastline is within easy reach. The Cinque Terre (UNESCO World Heritage site) is made up of the five fishing villages: Monterosso, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, Riomaggiore and the 18km of coastal walks along the old mule-tracks between them, the most famous of which is the Via dell’Amore. Just south of the Cinque Terre is Portovenere where you can catch a ferry to the Cinque Terre or to Lerici, swim at Byron’s Bay or visit one of the islands Palmaria, Tino or Tinetto. The villages of Lerici and San Terenzo, each with impressive castles, face each other across the Gulf of the Poets and Tellaro has been named as one of the top 100 most beautiful hamlets in Italy. Neighbouring Fiascherino is just as beautiful. In addition to being known as a seaside tourist town, Viareggio is famous for its Carnival in February and the Puccini Festival during July and August. So the Ligurian coastline offers endless possibilities for days swimming or sailing, or for catching a boat trip or for simply taking a 'passeggiata al mare' and sipping an aperitivo. The Ligurian coastline is special and Lunigiana, the northernmost part of Tuscany, is magical. The rolling landscape is liberally sprinkled with castles of Medici or Malaspina vintage and the year round calendar of festivals offer wonderful local specialities to try in each of the ancient towns and villages. The airports of Pisa, Parma and Genova are all just over an hour away.


Distances: Aulla (shops, autostrada, trains) on the doorstep, Fivizzano 10 km, Lerici (beaches) 25 km, Cinque Terre 30 km, Lucca 90 km, Pisa (airport) 90 km, Portofino 100 km, Florence 150 km.