 |
 |
|
Sleeps 8 |
 |
|
This beautifully restored
stone farm house is luminous and cozy with spectacular south western
views. Nestled amidst old terraces on a high hillside, it is surrounded
by wild cherry trees and sheltering oaks, from which the house
takes its name. Though it has a commanding perspective on all
it surveys, La Quercia gives the sensation of being utterly imbedded
in its landscape, seemingly at one with its multiple views of
distant farms, olive groves and undulating hills changing color
in the shifting light. French doors and outdoor terraces on three
sides of the house make the landscape an integral part of the
indoor and outdoor environment of the house, a constant reminder
of the Tuscan and Umbrian landscapes made famous by Piero della
Francesca and Giotto.
|
|
Inhabited until the early fifties by relatives of the families living elsewhere on the ALTABELLA estate, La Quercia is a classic example of an Italian “casa colonica”, a dwelling constructed and lived in by generations of tenant farmers linked economically and militarily to the nearby castle. We know from earlier inhabitants that the house was once surrounded by terraces of grapes and olives with an intricate system of water sluices that took advantage of its abundance of spring fed wells. Restoration of the house and grounds has revealed an ancient structure that may have dated to the early days of the castle’s history as well as the traces of a small, self-sufficient agricultural paradise. As fifty years of blackberry growth is carefully stripped away, the old vines strung up to catch the sun have once more begun to bear fruit, recalling the families who must once have planted and tended them. Restored in the late nineties, La Quercia is a blend of old materials and modern comforts. The house has been designed with two bathrooms, country kitchen and living room on each of two floors and provides ample space for eight people, while also offering privacy between floors. Ideal for up to four couples, the house lends itself to a group of friends or inter-generational family groups, who may wish to keep different hours. A 17th century refectory table in the upper kitchen and a large teak dining table on the expansive, wisteria covered terrace allows everyone to eat together in all seasons. The kitchens have been designed with luxurious
cooking facilities, antique Romantic bedrooms are furnished with handcrafted
furniture, large beds with firm Built for comfort and contemplation, the house
offers a wonderful retreat for writers, |
     |
|
|
|
