San Miniato, Pisa, Italy

Description

This splendid villa in a panoramic position is located in the heart of the Tuscan countryside just a few steps from the village of San Miniato. It is a magnificent result of an extensive renovation of the original medieval military fort dated 786 AD known as Castrum Moriori.
San Miniato, a lovely typical Tuscan town, stands on a hill halfway between Pisa and Florence and was a very important economic and cultural center due to its position. Today this part of Italy produces numerous valuable materials and products such as leather, white truffle, wine and oil.
Steeped in history, this centuries-old strategically positioned castle was once the victim of guerrilla warfare between the village of San Miniato and the city of Pisa during the 14th century. Later it was replaced by a large farm owned by the Grifoni family and then in 1751 it passed to the Pazzi family who transformed it into a farmhouse, evidence of which is still present today with the inscription of the family name in the stonework.
In 2013 the castle was carefully restored and transformed into a wonderful characterful accommodation facility. In line with the rustic Tuscan style, each apartment in this property has been renovated with quality materials such as handmade terracotta tiles from Impruneta and skilfully restored 19th-century wood-beamed ceilings.
The interior are composed as follows: the entrance from the garden leads onto a large hallway where the floor has been hand painted with the property's coat of arms. To the left one accesses the first apartment which consist of a living room and handcrafted kitchen in Carrara marble complete with a working fireplace. A corridor separates the living area from the sleeping area where there are two double bedroom and a bathroom with shower.
Also on the ground floor is the second apartment with independent access and an exclusive courtyard. It consists of a large living room with a fireplace, a kitchen, three double bedrooms and three spacious bathrooms.
Continuing on the first floor one finds the third apartment with a large living room also with a fireplace, a dining room with kitchen and two double bedrooms both with en-suite bathrooms. On this floor there is also the fourth apartment developed on two levels which is composed of a large dining room with kitchen and fireplace, a large bright living room, a bathroom and two double bedrooms each with a private bathroom. A stone staircase leads to the second attic floor where there is a large living space and two additional bathrooms.
Returning to the ground floor, from a staircase one reaches the basement where there is a professional kitchen, a large hall with a sandblasted stone ceiling, three rooms with vaulted ceilings and a reception room with a minibar and direct access to the outside. These spaces were once the villa’s cellar but are now used to host conferences and ceremonies.
To complete the property is a large parking area, a garden, 32 hectares of land with olive groves and woodland, a fantastic panoramic swimming pool overlooking the town, and a 600 sqm annex which is yet to be restored.

Perched on a hill, the medieval village of San Miniato is immersed in the verdant Tuscan countryside and is still an important crossroad between the cities of Pisa and Florence.
The town’s origin dates back to the Longobards who in 713 AD together with King Frederick II Of Swabia erected a church dedicated to the martyr Miniato.
Still present nowadays is the Rocca di Federico II which dominates the highest point of the San Miniato hill and is the main element that distinguishes and identifies the borgo. From its peak one can enjoy a spectacular 360 degrees view and during sunny days the gaze reaches the sea.
Napoleon also visited the village due to the local origins of the Buonaparte family and it was there that he received a certificate of nobility.
San Miniato has numerous historical monuments all either renovated or reconstructed and which attest to its ancient roots. They include the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Throughout the year there are a number of celebrations and events such as the National White Truffle Market Exhibition of Colline Sanminiatesi, the theater festival and numerous musical performances.
With its important tradition of leather production at Ponte a Egola, San Miniato is also famous for its white truffles, wine and oil.