SUNNY Villa

Independent apartment in a complex obtained from the restoration of a 15th Century monastery that is situated at the convergence of the Val d’Elsa and Chianti Valleys. The hamlet stands on a soft hilltop (320 meters a.s.l), and overlooks vineyards, woods and the towns of Colle Val d’Elsa and San Gimignano.

At 3 kms there is restaurant, basic food shop and petrol pump. Colle Val d’Elsa with all facilities and 6-hole golf course is at 5 kms, San Gimignano is at 17 kms, Castellina in Chianti is at 18 kms, Volterra is at 30 kms, and the entrance to the Siena-Firenze superstrada is at Monteriggioni, only 4.5 kms away.

The origins of the monastery are Romanesque and as it is on the Via Francigena, it was used as a stop-over by pilgrims heading down to Rome. The monastery and its buildings were later transformed into a rural hamlet that was home to farm families until it was finally abandoned in the mid 1990’s. The total restoration has transformed it into 20 independent apartments that have maintained the original stone of the buildings intact.

The position is peaceful and surrounded by 15,000 sqm of lawns and gardens which offer a large 8-shaped swimming pool for shared use, and a spacious parking area. Access to the hamlet is right off the asphalt road to the parking area with gate controlled by electronic key. Each apartment has a bell at the gate.

The apartment develops entirely on the ground floor and occupies part of a structure that is attached on one side to the next building. Access is from its private, 120 sqm furnished and equipped garden (including 3 lounge chairs), with covered dining area and barbecue. The garden develops on two levels with a second covered area that is also furnished and located right next to the apartment’s entrance. One end of the lower garden borders with the neighboring garden and is separated from it by tall hedges that conceal it from view. This hedge surrounds the entire garden of the apartment and provides excellent privacy.

Private entrance to the apartment is directly into the spacious and luminous living/dining room which has been furnished with great care by the owner who is a well-known architect. A large arched window opens onto an internal courtyard between buildings and is shielded to provide privacy and to preserve a cool temperature in the hot summer months. The sofa bed in the living room is quite comfortable. There is a TV with national channels and a radio and CD player.

From the dining area, an open arch with macrame curtain opens into a small but totally functional modern kitchen that has a travertine work surface with washbasin that were custom-designed by the owner. The kitchen offers two gas hobs, a series of drawers and shelves, an electric oven, fitted fridge, and washing machine. Glass skylights provide natural light into the kitchen area. There are two doors in the kitchen. One is to the complete bathroom which is divided into two sections: the first with washbasin fitted into a travertine surface, and the second with bathtub (again finished in travertine marble), bidet and WC.

The second door is to the double bedroom which is very handsomely furnished and has two delightful arched windows on one side and a glass paneled door on the other. This door opens onto a small balcony with 5 steps leading down to the rear garden space. There is a baby cot available and all the windows have mosquito screens. The ceilings are done with typical Tuscan wood beams and cotto tiles, and the floors are also in cotto. The furnishings are in good taste with light tonalities. Central gas heating is provided and gas is payable on consumption during heating season.