Podere La Prunella

PIENZA

At a glance

Along ancient roads, close to the historic thermal baths of Bagno Vignoni and Bagni di San Filippo, is a wonderful old house in the middle of the Val d’Orcia Natural Park. This has always been my favorite part of Tuscany with its gently undulating hills and the magnificent startling ‘crete’.

Located just a few kilometers from Pienza and Montepulciano, this ancient estate is comprised of 10,000 sq mt of land planted with olive trees. The panorama is splendid and inside you will find all the magic atmosphere of an ancient country house. The owners made every effort to maintain the original features and beauty and made few changes, so here you really do step back in time. The home is unique and elegant in its style, on two levels. You find the typical wood-beamed ceilings throughout. One of the most beautiful aspects of this house, I found, are the old original floors, some sloping, and the well-worn stone steps leading to the upper floor. They will charm you! 

From a cobbled front courtyard you step into a long hall. Almost half of the ground floor is comprised of a very large living room with a grand piano, several conversation areas, and a grand fireplace. To the right of the entry is a study/living room with original sit-in Tuscan fireplace and satellite TV. The rustic kitchen has an open fireplace, four gas rings and an electric oven, dishwasher. The laundry is nearby with washing machine and there is a guest bathroom.

At the top of the ancient staircase on the upper level is another large living room, which was the original kitchen. Here you can admire a large old stone sink hewn out of a single piece of volcanic rock. It is possible to cook here too, with four gas burners and another huge old fireplace.

The main bedroom has a queen size bed, a fireplace, and opens to the views at the front of the house. It has an ensuite bathroom with shower and is furnished like the rest of the house with family antiques. The rest of the sleeping accommodation is comprised of what could be considered two suites: one offers a queen size bedroom and a single with French size bed. These two rooms use a bathroom with shower. The other ‘suite’ is made up of a double bedroom (smaller than queensize bed), a living room with a loft twin bedroom reached by a spiral staircase (best for children). These rooms share a bathroom with shower.

The outdoor areas are wonderful, with a large covered patio for al fresco dining, overlooking the pool and views to Pienza.  There is also a smaller spa pool with hydromassage on the opposite side of the front courtyard. Other amenities include VCR, hi-fi, satellite TV, a grand piano.

The closest village is Montichiello, an ancient walled hill town, 4 km away. Pienza and Montepulciano are 10 minutes drive. Bagno Vignoni at 6 km, Bagni di San Filippo 12 km. Siena can be reached along the consular Cassia road.