Farmhouse in the Setting Sun

A 17th-century estate on the Farneta hill, with a private spa, swimming pool and two guest apartments

Ref. COR416

On the crest of a gentle hill, where the Valdichiana opens out towards the silhouettes of Cortona and Montepulciano, a farmhouse dating from the late 17th century dominates the landscape with its stone turret. All around, cypress trees mark the boundary of the garden like ancient sentinels, and amongst the olive and fruit trees, the light filters gently until evening. The recent restoration, carried out using traditional materials and techniques, has restored the house to its former glory as a historic residence, whilst adding the comfort and privacy expected of a country home today.

The main house

The villa is spread over three levels, crowned by a panoramic turret offering views of the hills in every direction. On the ground floor, the rooms follow one another with the spaciousness of old family homes: a large living room with a fireplace, a billiards room, a dining room, a fully equipped kitchen, a TV room and a study, complemented by two guest toilets and a bathroom with a shower. The fireplaces, all in working order, cast a warm glow over winter evenings, reflecting off the beams and terracotta tiles.

The night-time wings

The first floor is divided into two separate wings. In one wing is the master suite spread over two levels, comprising a bedroom, a private sitting room, a study and a bathroom with a hydromassage shower; on the upper level, a further double bedroom features a private bathroom with a bath. The other wing comprises three double bedrooms, each with its own bathroom, so that guests and family can share the house whilst each retaining their own space.

Wellbeing beneath the vaults

From the study, a staircase leads down to the basement, which houses a fitness room and an elegant tasting room for Tuscan wines. A few steps further down, within the tranquillity of the ancient walls, lies the spa area: a Turkish bath, a hot tub, a sauna, a massage room and a shower room combine to form a private retreat where time seems to slow down.

The annexe

Just a short walk from the main house, the annexe comprises two self-contained flats, each with a living area and kitchenette, a double bedroom and a bathroom. They are designed to accommodate friends and family with complete independence, for staff, or – for those envisaging a high-end hospitality venture – as the initial core of a guest accommodation business.

The garden and swimming pool

The grounds, covering approximately 16,000 square metres, stretch out around the house, comprising a landscaped garden, an olive grove and an orchard, framed by the cypress trees that have shaped this landscape for centuries. Set amongst well-tended lawns and a sun terrace, the 16 x 8-metre swimming pool is the heart of summer days: an outdoor shower and a spacious gazebo make it the perfect spot for al fresco dining and aperitifs at sunset, when the valley is bathed in golden light. The property is completed by a double garage, included in the price.

Between Cortona and Montepulciano

The estate is situated in the countryside around Farneta, in a secluded and peaceful location yet very close to Tuscany’s most famous destinations: Cortona, Montepulciano, Sinalunga, Arezzo and, a little further afield, Pienza and the Val d’Orcia. The nearby A1 motorway junction provides quick access to Florence, Rome and the main airports, making the property easily accessible even for those arriving from abroad.

Technical details

The house is in excellent condition, fully restored, with independent heating and an energy rating of E (IPE 226.26 kWh/m² per year). The total floor area is approximately 1,120 m², comprising ten bedrooms and twelve bathrooms across the main house and the annexe.