15 bedrooms house, 400 m²

Fivizzano, Massa-Carrara (province)

Lunigiana

A large estate, accessed along a private driveway, with spacious, historical neo-gothic style villa, outbuildings, numerous farm buildings, two lakes and extensive woodland. Set in the heart of the Lunigiana region of northern Tuscany, close to the town of Fivizzano. Built between 1844 and 1848 and subsequently restored at the end of the 19th century, the property was passed down through nobility to the present day owner. The original splendour is clear and this now requires restoration. It is set over three floors totaling 970 sqm. The villa is complete with mosaic floors and fresco ceilings.

The accommodation comprises, on the ground floor, a farmhouse kitchen with fireplace, terracotta floors and beamed ceiling, dining room, living room, study and a selection of reception rooms and the old farm shop; upstairs, on the next level are seven bedrooms and three bathrooms set around a magnificent large reception room, and a further three rooms used as studies; upstairs to the top level are the original staff quarters. The original marble staircase dominates the spacious entrance hall.

The villa opens onto a formal garden with a fountain and overlooking the lake and along the tree lined drive is a private chapel. There are two habitable buildings totaling 1,000 sqm, requiring restoration and set around a courtyard. The mill house is 2,000 sqm. There are a further 19 farm buildings. The property was one of the largest specialist farms in Tuscany. The land extends to 45 hectares (over 110 acres).

It is possible to purchase just a part of the property to include the villa with the chapel, one of the farm buildings, the lake and land and this is offered for sale at €1,500,000; or the entire estate is listing for sale at €2,350,000.

Set in the rolling hills of Lunigiana between Aulla and Fivizzano the property offers excellent access to amenities, motorway, train station and to the beaches. It is in the heart of beautiful countryside with the larger town of Fivizzano just on the doorstep. Often referred to as the Florence of Lunigiana, this medieval walled town is both beautiful and practical with supermarkets, restaurants and coffee bars. The bustling town hosts many cultural events over the summer with concerts in the piazza and reenactments of medieval parades and with its musical heritage the town also attracts international musicians during its annual folk music festival. There is a hospital, shops and restaurants in the town.

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: Fivizzano on the doorstep, Aulla (motorway and trains) 15 km, Lerici (beaches) 30 km, Cinque Terre 40 km, Lucca 90 km, Pisa (airport) 95 km.