6 Bedrooms and 4 Bathrooms (Sleeps 12)
Borgo di Calcina di Baldignano is a small estate enjoying panoramic views in rural Tuscany. This lovely property is comprised of two separate and private residences, Calcina and Torre della Luna, which stand 150 yards apart on 20 very pretty acres consisting of a small private church, fruit orchard, woodland, sunflower fields and farmland. Calcina and Torre della Luna are rented separately though are ideal for a large family or group of friends when rented together.

The estate occupies an elevated position in the lower foothills of the lovely Alpe della Luna region near the medieval town of Sansepolcro, birthplace of artist Piero della Francesca and home of his famous work “The Resurrection”. This small but sophisticated walled town also has four restaurants listed in the Michelin guide as well as year-round events and festivals including the traditional crossbow contest the “Palio della Balestra” with rival town Gubbio. Nearby are delightful small hilltop towns including Caprese Michelangelo (allegedly the birthplace of the artist), Monterchi and Monte Santa Maria Tiberina. This is a wonderful base from which to explore many of Tuscany and Umbria’s historical sites or to simply bask by the pool in the Italian sunshine.

Calcina is a handsome stone farmhouse, a casa padrionale, which has been extensively restored and it has a wonderful view from its hillside position. Blue shutters and blue painted arched doors on the ground floor add to the property’s appeal. To the front and facing down the valley is a large and sunny terrace stretching the full length of the house. Under a vine and clematis covered pergola sits a table with seating for 8 to 10 – an ideal spot for alfresco dining. To the rear of the house is an unrestored barn (for storage) and a small desconsecrated charming church with naïve painted walls. Behind the barn lies a 10m x 5m pool with roman steps and panoramic views of the Umbrian Mountains beyond and the rolling Tuscan countryside below.

Ground Floor

  • Large kitchen with a chestnut beamed ceiling and fully equipped with a dishwasher, modern electric oven, gas range, fridge/freezer, washing machine and a central “island” workstation with a sink. Double doors open to the pergola and wide sunny terrace for dining.
  • Large and airy dining room with a table seating 12 people. An archway leads to the kitchen and a door opens to the terrace. Stairs from a large lobby off the kitchen/dining area lead to the first floor.
  • Bedroom with twin beds, bathroom en suite with a shower (also accessible to kitchen) and a door to the terrace.

First Floor

  • Large and comfortable sitting room with a working stone fireplace dating from 1851 and a beamed ceiling. The main entrance to the house, which has a porch, opens into this room.
  • Large bedroom with a king-size wooden sleigh bed, windows offering different views across the valley and bathroom en suite with a tub
  • Bedroom with a queen-size bed, views across the valley and bathroom en suite with a shower
  • Large bedroom with a king-size bed, extra sofa bed and windows offering different views across the valley
  • Double bedroom with antique wooden twin beds
  • Double bedroom with twin beds overlooking the small private church
  • Spacious bathroom with a tub shared by the above three bedrooms

Amenities: Satellite TV and VCR

Staff: Maid service weekly on Saturday and an extra mid-week partial cleaning, pool cleaning twice weekly

Services Available at an Additional Cost: Cook, English-speaking baby sitter, maid for extra cleaning and grocery shopping. Pay-as-one-goes mobile phone.

Notes: Linen and towels are changed weekly and electricity, gas and hot water are included. Cots and high chairs may be available. Pets may be accommodated, please inquire at time of booking.

Distances: Sansepolcro is 4 km. (supermarkets, shops, banks, cafes, post office and a lively market twice weekly), Anghiari is 15-20 minutes, Citta di Castello is about 30 minutes and Arezzo (the location for the town shots in the Oscar-winning film La Vita e Bella) is about 45 minutes. Lake Trasimeno (boat trips, wind surfing, child-friendly beach), Perugia, Assisi, Cortona and Gubbio are all about 1 hour and Florence, Siena, San Gimignano and Bologna are about 2 hours.
Pamela H. Murdock - More Photos