La Pieve 1

An Ancient Farmhouse Updated for Sophisticated and Sleek Slow Living

Gleaming white walls and sharp rafters, shiny stone floors and angular tiled baths, plus the designer allure of ancient crossbeams hovering over boldly geometric, vivid white, open-plan architecture define this former farmhouse. Practically attached to a neighboring ancient Roman church and belfry, the 540-square meter, four-bedroom space combines historical authenticity with minimalist modernism.

The ground floor features connected living and dining areas, with two spacious rooms for lounging, another for dining and a fully equipped kitchen that leads out to the terraces overlooking the fertile Val d’Orcia, land of olive groves, woods and rolling green hills. The home’s bedrooms (sleeping two guests each) are spaced one per level, offering added privacy, and each has an en-suite bathroom (three with showers, one with a tub) and views of the countryside. One bedroom has an independent entrance in the garden. The ground floor of the home also benefits from a wellness room with a jacuzzi.

Climbing upstairs, the home’s second level features several workspaces and a grand central office with a fireplace and built-in bookcase. And throughout the interior, showpieces—artwork and antiques—stand, spotlit, solitary accents to the otherwise minimalist décor.

Outdoor spaces include terraces equipped for al fresco dining, sunset happy hours or contemplating the lush countryside. An independent meditation/creative space is located in the garden, and the villa’s private pool is heated, with views of the Tuscan hills.

Additional information

Not suitable for children under 12.

The house is equipped with energy-efficient systems, including floor heating and cooling.

Around

Set in the shadow of the ancient Church of Santo Stefano in the hamlet of Cennano, the villa is built on a former Etruscan sacred site that was transformed into the Roman churchyard that remains. The property is steeped in history, with nearby pilgrimage routes, ancient temples and medieval towns accessible within minutes. For those seeking relaxation and slow living, the villa immerses you in the green heart of Tuscany, surrounded by fertile nature and grounding old stones. Olive groves surround the villa, and the medieval hamlet of Castelmuzio is nearby as is the Renaissance town of Pienza (9km).

Pienza (visible from the house) is a great starting point for exploring Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia, as it is located only a few kilometers from both Montalcino and Montepulciano, home to “big Tuscan” vineyards. The town is considered an “ideal Renaissance city,” commissioned by Pope Pius II and recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its 16th-century architecture, symmetry and perspectives. Squares and palaces are set throughout the community, and the historical town center is celebrated for its humanistic design and urban planning. The Palazzo Piccolomini’s roof garden and loggia are not to be missed, the Palazzo Comunale in front of the cathedral is also famed for its façade loggia. Palazzo Massaini, built by a merchant family in the 1500s, tops a hillside. Beyond its strikingly well preserved Renaissance architecture, the town is famed for its cheese, a strident Pecorino of ancient origin, made from sheep’s milk and barrel aged.

Location

Castelmuzio, Val d’Orcia, Tuscany, Italy. Nearest airports: Perugia (PEG, 40 miles), Florence (55 miles), Pisa (80 miles), Rome (95 miles)

Best time to visit

April to October