A small jewel of Renaissance architecture in Chianti - CLASS LISTED / LANDMARKED BUILDING

OVERVIEW Palazzetto

The villa looks onto the main street of the historical village Barberino Val d’Elsa (which is very quiet as it has been closed to traffic) to one side and onto the open landscape to the other side. A small jewel of Renaissance architecture, it was built in the traditional alberese stone with architectural features typical of the Tuscan understated elegance.

The main entrance to the house – a large wooden double door with a Renaissance stone cornice – leads into a courtyard, which again opens onto a large terrace with a pergola for meals outside.

From the terrace few steps lead to the garden, the pool and the open countryside. The view and the sunsets to be seen from here, as well as from all windows looking out to the back of the house, are magnificent – the famous Chianti hills with vineyards and olive groves and the towers of San Gimignano in the backdrop.

The house was given an important facelift in 2018: new kitchen and new bathrooms, as well as new beds, upholstery and painting. Family antiques, books, terracotta flooring, exposed beams and Mediterranean colourings create an elegant and welcoming atmosphere.

Amenities and services

Floorplan of the villa

Ground floor
Courtyard with very large terrace (about 100 m2) with pergola, steps down into the garden

First floor
Large dining room
Living room with fireplace and terrace
Smaller living room
Study
Kitchen
3 double bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms
2 twin bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms.

Garden :

• Small pool 10 x 5 x1.40 (There are 50 steps leading down to the pool). At the pool you will find a cabin equipped with table and sun-chairs.
• Pergola
• Private parking

ESTATE: Barberino

The fortified hilltop village Barberino Val d’Elsa lies in the heart of the famous Chianti area, a region in Tuscany stretching between Florence and Siena (both cities are only 1/2 hours drive by car), and in easy reach of Lucca, Pisa, San Gimignano, Volterra and Arezzo, all to be reached in less than one hour by car.
The rental villa Palazzetto is a gentleman’s abode whithin the village walls of Barberino with a beautiful garden at the back of the house opening onto exquisite views of endless rolling hills and the skyline of San Gimignano in the distance.

The village of Barberino Val d’Elsa has two bars, a bank, a small shop, an excellent butcher, a restaurant, a wine bar, a hairdresser, a chemistry, a post office and a small supermarket.

ACTIVITIES

• The Chianti area: Famous for its wines – the Chianti Classico – this area of Tuscany has more than just world-class oenological pleasures to offer. The curious visitor will come accross many delightful villages, each of them with a history of its own. Let us simply mention lesser known gems such as the romanesque church of Sant’Appiano, the Basilica of Impruneta, the fortified castle of Monteriggioni and the roofless romanesque abbey of San Galgano which are all close. And don’t miss the Saturday market in the small town of Greve.
• Siena: The Sienese have no doubt, their town is the most beautiful in all of Tuscany, if not all of Italy. Siena has remained a Gothic city. Renaissance, one of the major influences in Florence, hardly affected the urban development of Siena. The city unfolds around the main shell-shaped square called “Il Campo.” Twice a year the famous horse race known as the “Palio” takes place here. The narrow streets are lined with old shops and small cafes, while churches and museums are real treasures of the fourteenth century.
• Florence: The city lies on the Arno River and is known for its history and its importance in the Middle Ages and in the Renaissance, especially for its art and architecture. A centre of medieval European trade and finance, the city is often considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance; in fact, it has been called the Athens of the Middle Ages.[2] It was long under the de facto rule of the Medici family. From 1865 to 1870 the city was also the capital of the Kingdom of Italy. The historic centre of Florence continues to attract millions of tourists each year and was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1982.
• San Gimignano is a small walled medieval hill town in the province of Siena, Tuscany, north-central Italy. It is mainly famous for its medieval architecture, especially its towers, which may be seen from several kilometers outside the town. The town also is known for the white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, grown in the area.
• Restaurants: eating out is a way of getting to know the area. Simple local trattorias rub their shoulders with more sophisticated restaurants specialised in refined cuisine. Fresh local produce allways plays the leading role. You will find a list of our favourites in the villas.
• Local craftsmanship: hand-made terracotta pots from Impruneta, hand painted pottery from Montelupo, mouth-blown crystal glass from the neighbouring village Colle Val d’Elsa, not to mention the south bank of the Arno river in Florence where you will find a multitude of craftsmen working silver, leather, wood, glass, paper and metal.

RATES

GUEST REVIEWS, Palazzetto, Barberino

LOCATION

Barberino in Chianti lies in the heart of the Chianti region, half way between Florence and Siena.