Castel San Niccolò, Tuscany 52018

This is a fine example of a stately country estate, whose roots date back to the 13th century and are closely intertwined with the history of the noble Gatteschi family of Pistoia. In the 15th century, Jacopo di Battista Gatteschi chose the location because of the healthy air as a residence for himself and his descendants. Jacopo married a young woman from the illustrious Tommasi family and bought a house in the Borgo di Sopra and settled there. Given the prestige and high offices held by the Gatteschi family his son Bartolomeo was the personal physician to Cosimo I de Medici a residence befitting their status was the norm. The present-day palazzo was built in the last quarter of the 18th century on the foundations of older, medieval structures, traces of whose architecture can still be seen today in individual rooms and details. The combination of historical substance and aristocratic domestic culture is particularly striking on the piano nobile: Magnificent salons with fully preserved frescoes, intricately painted coffered ceilings and decorative wall paintings lend the rooms a unique atmosphere of grandeur and cultural sophistication. Large windows flood the rooms with light and emphasise the elegant effect of the historic interiors with their fine wooden floors, high ceilings and original details. The magnificent preserved frescoes on the main floor of the palace, dating from 1789, completely cover the walls and coffered ceilings with decorative motifs and ornamental figures. Their high quality suggests that they were the work of fresco painters and decorators from Florence, with whom the Gatteschi family of the Casentino branch maintained family and business ties. The four large walls of the main hall feature paintings depicting seascapes on the horizon and, in the foreground, elegant classical architecture with columns, pediments, obelisks and decorative statues. On the left-hand wall, a fresco provides the only surviving pictorial record of the village from the second half of the 18th century. The villas garden extends across three levels, featuring rose gardens, a nostalgic arbour and standard trees. It serves as a place of retreat and emphasises the stately character of the residence. The village is one of the most authentic and traditional places in eastern Tuscany yet offers most amenities. Surrounded by wooded hills, Romanesque churches and historic villages, the region combines cultural heritage with scenic beauty and a high quality of life. Florence, Arezzo and the famous landscapes of Tuscany are easily accessible from here, whilst the village itself has retained its original tranquillity and authenticity. The palazzo offers a rare opportunity to acquire a historically significant residence with exceptional artistic features in one of the quietest regions of Tuscany. A property for lovers of historic architecture, Italian culture and a stylish living environment with unmistakable character. Equipped with: Electricity, mains water, own spring water, central heating, fireplace, gas connection, garage, private parking, garden. G total energy performance: >175 kWh/m² a Buyer's commission: 3.66 (3% plus 22% VAT) of the purchase price.