Welcome to our home! We call it Bella Vista, because it is a home with a beautiful (Bella) view (Vista) of Italy.
Our house has been recently reconstructed, that is completely rebuilt, from essentially a pile of rocks. The reconstruction was finalized in 2010. The original house was built around the same time as the castle, so they were constructed in the Middle Ages between the 12th and 15th Centuries.
With respect to the reconstruction efforts, local carpenters and masons took their time in rebuilding this home with stone construction. The walls are over 24 inches thick and hand built stone by stone. The iron works were also completed by a local artisan who hand crafted all of the handrails, stair rails and balcony rails.
About Our House
Our house (Bella Vista) is situated high on the hill of this amazing little village with a splendid view of both the medieval tower, the village and the mountains.
The house is approximately 1200 square feet with comfortable accommodations for four persons. The main level of the house includes a living room with gorgeous stone fireplace, perfect for roasting chestnuts or the delicious hand-made sausages made by the local butchers. Mostly though, we just enjoy listening to the fire crackle as we share a great bottle of red wine (often a local Montepulciano).
Also situated on the main level is the spacious kitchen/dining area. The kitchen is complete with all the modern necessities, like full stove/oven and dishwasher, but it maintains a rustic flair with an antique stone sink originally used to catch the olive oil in an olive oil factory several hundred years ago. The kitchen also has a balcony with an amazing view of the medieval tower, located only a few hundred feet away.
The upper level of the house includes a master bedroom, full master bathroom and a balcony with a splendid view of the village and the mountains.
Finally, the entry level or ground floor of the house includes the cantina (or family room) with additional sleeping quarters, a second bathroom, with roomy shower, and a laundry room (with washer and dryer). In addition, there is also a small cave that was discovered once the rubble was cleared and now stores wine at the perfect temperature, naturally.
