Property for sale in Tuscany: 17th century villa estate with gardens

Superb villa estate with gardens, guesthouse and chapel - this property for sale in Tuscany is close to Lucca, and something very special.

This beautiful villa dating back to the 17th century is located in one of the most prestigious areas, just 15 minutes from the city walls. You can immediately sense the warm and embracing atmosphere of the property thanks to the care and good taste of the current owners who have painstakingly maintained the original character and the architectural features of the estate.

The villa is part of group of buildings which formed a monastery with origins in the 15th century - the villa was most likely the original church. Located to the rear of the villa in the walled grounds is a formal garden whose origins date back to the 17th century. The chapel adjacent to the villa shows the date of 1690 which probably refers to the first conversion of the religious building into a dwelling.

We'd hazard that the villa was internally redesigned in the 19th century; it retains the characteristics of that period with beautiful floors made by an old local factory (Tessieri, still existing), stone staircases, large rooms and so forth. The villa is laid out over three levels. The piano nobile has access from a double external staircase and it includes a large entrance hall/living room with balcony overlooking the garden and the view of the valley, a study with fireplace, a bedroom with access to a veranda with an exterior staircase to the garden, a second bedroom with en-suite bathroom, and the master suite with bathroom and dressing room.

The former cellars on the ground floor have been converted into a spacious sitting room with French doors onto the garden, a large gourmet kitchen, dining room, cloakroom, and service rooms including laundry, boiler room, as well as a cellar.

On the second floor there is an independent apartment with access from an external staircase with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, eat-in kitchen and a living room with fireplace. Overlooking the formal garden from the opposite side is a former farm building converted into additional living space with a kitchen and a large living room on the ground floor, and two bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor.

The guesthouse has several large windows and a light and open feel. Located behind the guest house are the cantinas, with storage and olive oil and wine vats. The guest house has, in addition to access to the formal garden, a private terrace and separate entrance and parking accessed from the lower olive grove. In one corner of the garden, with access not only from the garden but also the front drive is a chapel, in its original condition. Beyond the front gate of the villa estate is a nice little stone house for the staff perhaps, with a kitchen/living room, a bedroom and a bathroom. Also located at the entrance gate is a garage/storage space.

The 17th century formal garden is laid out with pergolas covered with romantic white wisteria and grapes supported by columns leading to the nynphaeum (fountain) at the end of the garden. In the garden, near the kitchen entrance is a pergola-covered dining area and a wood burning pizza/bread oven. A high stone wall separates the garden from the cultivated land. Beyond the garden walls is a pool, with a covered dining area, a pool house with kitchenette, and a barbecue area. In the olive grove below the villa is a large agricultural barn, and further below, a vineyard. The total measurement of the land associated with the estate is 3.5 hectares.

The property is located in a prominent and panoramic position overlooking a rural valley just outside Lucca, the surrounding hillsides dotted with villas, churches, olive groves and vineyards. The villa estate is located in a small hamlet, but the villa, guesthouse and gardens are quite private.

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