Description
Located in an ancient forest, once the Medici’s hunting park,10 kilometers south of Florence on the Roman road to Volterra, San Stefano a Gabbiola is an historic and architectural landmark; a unique dwelling built around a Romanesque chapel dating from 1260. The chapel was constructed from the stones of Castelvecchio, a castle first recorded in 1075, the foundations of which are to be found next to the property.
The chapel was deconsecrated in 1565 and after centuries of neglect, the property was acquired by the famous Florentine architect Pier Niccolo’ Berardi in the 1980s who caringly restored it (calling it his ‘girlfriend’) while adding his unique interpretation of a medieval country house in the style of a Tuscan “borgo” or hamlet. The property is set over four levels with several terraces on all sides to enjoy the tranquil surroundings which embrace the house.
The property is part of a private estate with 4 other properties in 27 Ha of woodland.
Bought in 2014 by the current owners, the property enjoys extensive views and sits in ca. 3,000 sq m of fenced garden and parkland on the side of a hill, which has been carefully terraced and laid with pathways throughout with lighting and irrigation. It has been maintained as designed by the Architect Berardi, with a few modern additions to create a comfortable family home. The roofless chapel creates a wonderfully romantic entrance courtyard to the home and the 2 gated entrances ensure that the staff apartment below the main house can be independent. There is parking for several cars next to the main house. The limonaia in the garden is used as a gym and has AC.
Description: entrance hall, sloped stone stairs down to open plan living area, dining area and sitting area around a wood burning stove with panoramic views. Door to terrace. Study with door to small terrace, TV/cinema room (also used as a bedroom) and a naturally cooled wine cellar that can accommodate 1000 bottles. The living area adjoins a dining room with terrace, pantry and adjacent well-equipped kitchen. From this floor, stairs go down to a guest bedroom with shower room and dressing room and a door on this lower level can be closed off or, as it is currently, stairs lead on down to a further bedroom with en suite bathroom and a door to a terrace, and the kitchen below that leads out onto the garden. From the main floor, stairs go up to another guest bedroom with shower room and the master dressing room with the master bedroom above with large bathroom comprising a Jacuzzi bath.
Services include: Bread oven area • GPL central heating • Solar panels • Artisian well and a condominium well water supply • Water softener • AC in the main rooms
