DUCHESSA

Description

Duchessa

Location and Surrounding Area

Immersed in the peaceful Tuscan countryside, this magnificent masterfully-restored villa is ideally located to explore the region’s cultural highlights and most spectacular natural wonders. With wonderful views of the surrounding countryside, this exclusive neo-gothic property is the perfect location for unforgettable day trips to the most beautiful towns in Tuscany and provides a unique opportunity to admire its splendid landscapes while soaking up the region’s incredibly rich historical and cultural heritage.

The villa is just a stone’s throw from the medieval town of Montepulciano. Standing high atop a hill not far from Siena, the town of Montepulciano boasts elegant Renaissance palaces, ancient churches, charming squares and breathtaking views over the wonderful Val d’Orcia. In just one hour by car, you can also reach Montalcino, extremely well-known for the production of its Brunello red wine, one of the world’s most appreciated Italian wines.

In just one hour by car, you can reach the medieval town of Siena. Its ancient red brick buildings, the scallop-shaped main square Piazza del Campo and the Cathedral Square, dominated by the zebra-striped Duomo, make it an absolute must for anyone traveling to Tuscany. Effectively an open-air museum celebrating the Gothic, Siena boasts secular monuments that have retained both their medieval forms and their exceptional art collections, providing plenty to marvel at.

In less than two hours by car, you can reach San Gimignano, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Italy. From afar, San Gimignano looks like a town from a Renaissance painting: a circle of 13th-century walls enclosing tall, teetering stone towers. Its towers make it instantly recognizable, but the art treasures held within its walls are just as remarkable. Although the town is small, there is enough art, architecture and fine food to keep you busy for more than one day.

In less than two hours by car, you can also reach Florence, a treasure trove of art with an astonishing contemporary vibe. Beyond the extraordinary artistic heritage, a testimony to its centuries of civilization, the best way to enjoy Florence is to stroll along the riverside avenues at sunset, or to get lost among the city’s myriad alleyways of the bohemian Oltrarno or the narrow little streets of San Niccolò, where it feels like you have ended up in another time along its centuries-old walls.

Duchessa is 139 km from Florence Amerigo Vespucci International Airport, 187 km from Rome Leonardo da Vinci International Airport, 199 km from Pisa Galileo Galilei International Airport and 221 km from Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport. Chiusi is 5 km from the villa, Montepulciano is 18 km, Pienza is 29 km, Montalcino is 45 km, Perugia is 59 km, Arezzo is 64 km, Siena is 78 km, Florence is 121 km, San Gimignano is 122 km, Volterra is 131 km, and Pisa is 202 km.

The Property

Located in the heart of Tuscany, between the historic Val di Chiana and the wild Val d’Orcia, Duchessa offers peace and relaxation in a refined environment surrounded by olive groves and rolling hills. Founded in 2001 by Astrid Schiller Wirth, this magnificent neo-gothic building has been completely and masterfully restored. Offering an elegant atmosphere and structured on three main levels, Duchessa can accommodate up to twelve guests in six double bedrooms located in the main villa plus four additional guests in two additional double bedrooms located in the annex next to the main villa.

Founded in 2001 by Astrid Schiller Wirth, Duchessa is a neo-gothic building structured on three levels, which has been completely and masterfully restored. This is Astrid’s latest design project, where it is clearly visible to see great eye for detail and to appreciate her drive and creative passion. Her inimitable style of interior design and personal touch are felt throughout the entire estate. Over the centuries, the property was an exclusive meeting place where several important personalities from Rome and Florence held their important rendezvous.

Immersed in nearly sixty acres of land, Duchessa features an entirely private Italian park marked with the characteristic flora of prestigious Tuscan gardens. Offering a tranquil atmosphere, this magnificent property boasts an exclusive pool and a generous poolside area furnished with comfortable sun loungers inviting guests to sit back and unwind. With charming views of the countryside, the poolside area represents an idyllic spot for basking in the sun and relax. The garden also features a generous gazebo with al fresco dining area and lounge areas for relaxing and socializing.

A grand entrance e hall on the ground floor opens onto a spacious sitting room with fireplace and library. The elegant dining room is flanked on either side by another cozy sitting room and a comfortable TV room. The spacious kitchen is fully equipped with all the modern appliances one could wish for. On the same floor, you will also find a guest bathroom. The rooms of the villa were uniquely designed, one by one, by Astrid Schiller Wirth. The same care and attention to detail has been given to each one showing a distinctive look which begins with a classic Tuscan style tastefully combined with a contemporary concept in country décor.

All the guest rooms are equipped with modern facilities. Each one has a full, private marble bathroom with a bathtub, while the wooden floors give richness and warmth and create an ambiance of exclusive comfort within a luxurious environment. From the brightest to the boldest in red, your experience here will be unforgettable. The large windows of the rooms open onto the surrounding grounds and suggestive horizons and the chirping birds in the park are a welcome addition to your newly found sense of peace and tranquility. There is no need to look any further: your Tuscan Eden is right here.

On the first floor you will find three double bedrooms with king-size beds, plus an exclusive Honeymoon Suite with king-size bed, resting area and balcony. Romantic and sophisticated, the unique flair of a country style décor coupled with contemporary accents makes the Honeymoon Suite the most prized retreat at Duchessa. A light-hearted statue of Cupid which seems to be playing with the white curtains around the bed appears to hide the bride as she makes her preparations for a perfect evening. A delightful dressing table adds to the romance of the suite and it is complete with a spacious walk-in closet for the bride’s trousseau.

On the upper floor you will find two double bedrooms with French beds and en-suite bathrooms. One of the bathrooms has both shower and bathtub. La Forestiera is a quaint residence located next to the villa, a small and intimate two-bedroom apartment for a couple or a family seeking more privacy while remaining within the context of the villa. This annex consists of one bedroom with king-size bed and en-suite bathroom with shower, and one bedroom with French bed and en-suite bathroom with shower, a relaxing sitting room with fireplace, a large live-in kitchen and a private outside patio area for al fresco dining.

On the upper floor of the villa, you will find a newly-built wellness area complete with Turkish bath, sauna, massage room, and a well-equipped gym. Fitness lovers will be able to keep up with their workout regimen without leaving the comfort of their own villa.

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