3 bedrooms house, 115 m²

Volterra, Pisa (province)

A wonderful opportunity to customise a detached, stone house (115 sqm) currently in construction, with 2/3 bedrooms, and with swimming pool, which can be finished to a personal specification. Just outside Volterra with outstanding Tuscan views.

The property will be finished with chestnut beams and rafters, to high quality specification and in line with the current building regulations. The reinforced concrete structure has walls covered in exposed stone, and an insulated roof covered with typically Tuscan tiles. All on one level, with paved patio to the garden.

There is a fenced, private garden of around 2,500 sqm (around half an acre) which can be completed with swimming pool.

There are two private properties available for sale. Each property is for sale at €270,000 as it is, plus costs of €150,000 to finish with swimming pool, so a total of €420,000. It is anticipated that the property will take around 5-6 months to finish. At this stage, a degree of customisation is possible. The planning is approved and there is an engineer, surveyor/ project manager and construction company on site, ready to go.

Access is along a 3 km unpaved road which is well maintained and in excellent condition. Plentiful parking.

Volterra is particularly renowned for its peculiar urban layout that reminds us of its Etruscan origins: people can still visit part of the majestic protective walls built during the 5th to 4th centuries BC - including the well-preserved Porta dell'Arco and Porta Diana, two gates for entering the city - as well as the Acropolis that houses several buildings and the foundations of two ancient temples. There are many Roman remains to visit as well, like the Roman Theatre, dating back to the end of the first century AC, built in a natural amphitheatre. Stroll down the historical centre, step back in time and enjoy the timeless atmosphere that surrounds the town: taste the local produce and visit the handicraft workshops, where you'll find beautiful hand-crafted objects made from the natural alabaster, which is special to the area.

Volterra was once known as Velathri, the Etruscan name of the town, was one of the twelve main towns that belonged to the Etruscan confederation; at the end of the 4th century BC, the 7,300m long fortified walls were built up to protect not only the urban centre, but also the surrounding fountains, arable fields and the pastures from any foreign invasions. After the Frankish and Lombard dominions, Volterra passed under Roman control and changed its name into Volaterrae (where the modern name comes from); later, it fell under Florentine supremacy until the town passed under the Grand Duchy of Tuscany before finally becoming part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1860.The town's narrow medieval streets and its central piazza will make you fall in love. You'll appreciate the beauty of the 13th century Palazzo dei Priori which sits tall over the piazza, as well as the Palazzo Pretorio across the square. The August 'Volterra AD 1398' festival, held on the middle weekends in August, is a highlight. During these weekends, Volterra is as it was in the late 14th century, recreated with shows, events, markets, workshops, music and juggling.

The town is located in the Valdera region of Central Tuscany between Pisa and Florence where this colourful landscape of rolling hills dotted with medieval villages, castles and lanes flanked with tall dark green cypress trees, epitomises the Tuscan landscape. Meandering through the countryside of Valdera you feel the vestiges of the mysterious Etruscan civilization. In Lajatico the famous tenor, Andrea Boccelli, has created the 'Teatro di Silenzio' where natural landscape creates a breathtaking setting for an open air music and opera festival attracting top musicians from all over the world for special performances. Casciana Terme has thermal waters and spa facilities and is a pretty town with piazzas and cafès serving the local wine. The città d’arte (cities of art) nearby include San Gimignano, Palaia and Florence all of which offer wonderful history, art and architecture.

Distances: Volterra centre 10 km, Lajatico 20 km, San Gimignano 20 km, Casciana Terme 30 km, Pontedera (trains, supermarkets) 40 km, Cecina (beaches) 50 km, Siena 60 km, Pisa (airport) 60 km, Florence 80 km.