CASA AL GOZZO

Description:
The country estate of which Casa al Gozzo forms part is situated on the hills looking down on the Val d’Orcia, which is a miraculously unspoilt piece of Southern Tuscany, especially in this time and age where everybody has already seen and discovered the most popular region of Italy. And even more miraculous; it lies between Florence and Rome, but within easy reach of other cultural gems like Siena, Arezzo, Perugia Assisi and Orvieto.

Medieval and Renaissance jewels like Pienza, Montepulciano, Montichiello and Montalcino are close-by; at the most a twenty, thirty kilometres by car. You can walk to your heart’s content through the woods and over the characteristic clay hills of the “Crete Senesi”. And as far as meals to enjoy: even in other parts of Tuscany one admits that the kitchen is good, which means quite a lot, so not everything. Tuscany’s best wines come from this part of the region, like the Vino Nobile, the “Noble Wine” from Montepulciano and the Brunello from, a.o., Montalcino. Would you like a taste? There are more than enough local wineries to choose from! Throughout the year, there are more cultural events to visit than we could mention and do not forget the local “sagra’s”; the Italians are master-organisers of festivities all evolving around food.

The view from the country estate stretches out over the valley, with on the background the cone-shaped, extinguished volcano of the Monte Amiata towering above it. Small wonder that this beautiful piece of the world has been adapted by the UNESCO, as being of the utmost importance to keep it intact, both for its natural beauty as well as its cultural assets. The hills behind the estate are woody, and the ancient country roads which connected the farms to each other are strictly kept intact, so that nature can be enjoyed in all its riches.

Amid the fields one finds the “Crete Senesi”, which characterize this part of Tuscany. These “crete” are often strange, moon-like landscapes of clay hills and small woods and shrubs, offering a natural habitat to quite a many animals like deer, wild boar, porcupines, hares, rabbits and lots of birds. Less than fifty years ago this part of Tuscany was so poor, that the farmers were desperate to feed their families, and the government tried to transform the “crete” into productive farming land. But times changed for the better, when the superb wines became popular, and now the “crete” are being strictly protected. Mammals and birds can procreate, and hunting is prohibited.

The large villa on the estate was built in the 2nd half of the 15h century to provide a night’s stay for pilgrims and merchants on their way over the old, Roman Via Francigena to and from Rome. In 1924, the estate was bought by a well-known, aristocratic family, which devoted their live to bring prosperity to the then desperately poor people. Daughters Benedetta and Donata, the next generation, are now as lovingly and efficiently managing the estate, which has become a superb combination of wood- and farmland as well as olive groves. The famous English garden designer Cecil Pinsent made the gardens come to life as being an ideal combination of pure landscape and 20th century garden architecture, inside which both the British and Italian gardening traditions made a beautiful, lasting marriage.

Moreover, the estate has become a centre for many cultural and artistical events. The medieval castle on the estate is home to an internationally famous musical festival, the “Incontri in Terra di Siena”. A large, framed photograph of the world-famous violinist Yehudi Menuhin in the reception area bears witness of this. He came to play, and became a much-loved friend of the family.

The dwellings on the estate have all been completely restored and enjoy all modern comforts, without, however, having abandoned the original structure. You are sure to enjoy a wonderful holiday in one of these accommodations and will cherish the happy memories, completely according to the motto of Elisabeth Travel “memories are made of this”. And, just in case you would want more than relax, take the car to drive round and just bask in being away from it all, doing nothing? Well…There are cooking lessons, or language lessons, you can rent a bike, taste wine.. The manager of the estate will be pleased to give you all the information you could wish for, in excellent English.

The estate counts 9 accommodations, and Casa al Gozzo is situated on a very special spot. You might have seen, or received as a holiday-greeting, the best known postal card of perhaps the whole of Italy; we mean the most photographed road in Tuscany, winding its way to a hilltop and surrounded by cypresses. A man called Antonio Origo had this road made, when he was trying to help the locals in the area by honouring the medieval Tuscan landscape as once painted by Lorenzetti. If you rent this beautiful casa, you can sit on one of the lovely terraces outside with something tasty to drink or eat or both, and enjoy your own, special view. And, eventually, make your own postal card!

The house itself was built after some farmers decided to start a joint venture of one special product, and in Casa al Gozzo, one specialised in the making of ricotta cheese and pecorino, the cheese made from sheep’s milk and well-known in the Val d’Orcia. After the Second World War, the fields were transformed into orchards, especially peach- and plum-trees, the produce being sold to the local hotels in a.o. Chianciano Terme. The house is still surrounded by fruit trees, and we mention one plum called “Coscia di Monaca”; or more popularly said, nun’s thighs. We were not there during the proper season but if you are, you might understand the name. Or not, of course…Perhaps it is just a typical Italian association?

Casa al Gozzo is a detached house, surrounded by olive trees, cornfields, cypresses, and situated at about 1 km. from the main villa. The ground floor exists of a large, comfortable living room with open fire place which was originally designed by Cecil Pinsent for the main villa, a dining room with open access to the kitchen and French doors to the pergola, and a toilet. Upstairs, there are three bedrooms with three bathrooms. Nearby, there is a small dependence with all modern comforts for two persons.

The garden of about 700 m² has a swimming pool, offering lovely views. The house is in the South-West, thus providing spectacular sunsets. The furnishing is in rich country stile, with quite a many elegant touches. There is a pergola and, in the shade of an ancient cypress, you will find a table made of local stone. And then, once more…The view!

Our conclusion: This accommodation is suitable for a total of 8 persons and ideal for a family holiday, especially when three generations want to be together. One can retire and get some privacy, and the next day do all kinds of wonderful things all together again. An authentic experience on, according us, one of the most beautiful authentic estates in Italy!

Facilities:
Reception, parking, garden with garden furniture, swimming pool, open fire place, fridge/freezer, dish washer, oven, 4 burners, electric kettle, washing machine, toaster, TV-SAT, CD-stereo, mobile fans in the bedrooms, iron and ironing board, hairdryer, Italian coffeemaker (not electric), French coffeemaker. There is a tennis court on the estate, a trampoline and a children’s playground; please bear in mind, however, that you will need your car to get there, unless you would like a walk! WiFi-Internet. There is also a small restaurant on the estate.

Possibilities for sports/excursions:
Walking and cycling. And perhaps you will find out, just like we did, that taking small “walks by car” through the surroundings are relaxing and enjoyable. We can recommend a visit to the wonderful town of Pienza, with many nice shops with local products; delicious olive oil, wines, Pecorino cheese, etc. When you are there, look at the beautiful wrought iron objects at Biagotti’s. Montichiello is a small jewel, with its Teatro Povero, the theatre for the poor. And if you like linens: Next to the church there is a small shop selling bed spreads, towels etc. made of pure linen. Also worth while a visit are Montalcino and Montepulciano, with many wine-houses where you can taste and buy to your heart’s content. In Bagno Filippo you can sit all day in the pool filled with water from the natural hot springs for about € 10,00 p.p. And just in case you now ask, what about some culture? Well, then we can suggest a visit to the Abbey of S. Antimo, with a mass on Sunday, or the Duomo in Chiusi and the Museum of Archaeology in Chianciano. Just to mention three of the many possibilities.

Distances:(in approx. kms)
All shops, postal services, pharmacy, big supermarket etc. in Chianciano Terme, 5 km, Montepulciano 11, Chiusi 12, Pienza 21, Montalcino 41, Orvieto 56, Siena 85, Perugia 92, Florence 128.

Lay-out of the house (260 m², 8 pers.):
Ground floor: Spacious living with open fire place, dining room, completely equipped kitchen with open fire place, toilet.
First floor: Second living with open fire place, 2 double bedrooms and a room with 2 beds, each with its own en-suite bathroom, two of which with shower and one with a bath.
Dependence:
Ground floor: Double bedroom and a bathroom with shower plus a laundry- and storage room.