Property Details of Tuscany House

“Il Fortino” - 1500 sq ft.
Situated at the edge of the Apuane Alps Regional Park atop the fortified medieval village of Viano, "Il Fortino" has breathtaking views over the Aulella and Lucido valleys. Nearly 400 years old, the stone village house is an original part of the village fortifications with its ramparts standing guard over the beautiful Lunigiana countryside.

It is built on three levels and has been lovingly restored to retain many original features. Access is from the village 'borgo' into the entry hall at ground floor level with bathroom, living/dining room with fireplace and fully fitted kitchen opening onto the terrace which sits in a commanding position atop the vaulted wall walk.
Stairs from the living area lead to the gallery landing from which are two double bedrooms with sloping wood ceilings, one with en-suite shower and one with vanity unit. The lower ground floor is accessed via stairs down from the kitchen and contains a further twin bedroom with french doors leading directly onto the vaulted portico in front of the property.
"Il Fortino" is just 10 mins drive from shops, restaurants and train station and only 20 minutes drive from the motorway. The beautiful seaside resorts of the Versilian Riviera are just a short car ride away as well as the famous "Cinque Terre" coastal villages. In common with other medieval villages, cars are parked at the entrance to the village and a short walk leads to the property.
Sleeps: 6 (2 double rooms; 1 twin room)
Rates: £400 to £800 GBP per week
Changeover day: Saturday (other days can be arranged subject to bookings)
Sorry no pets and no inside smoking
* Master bedroom with en-suite facilities, double
room with vanity unit, twin room.
* Panoramic private terrace with stunning views of the
Apennines and Alpe Apuane
* Furnished and equipped to a very high standard.
* A short drive away (10 mins)is the spa of Equi Terme where
there is an excellent swimming pool fed by the
thermal springs.
* Access: Car preferable, although there is a railway
station at Monzone just 2½ miles away.
For more information go to www.LeisureItalia.com

Local Area Details

The property is situated in the medieval village of Viano in the Lunigiana area of Tuscany Built on an ancient Roman site the medieval fortified village of Viano is crowned by the Tower of Viano a remnant of the Viano Castle once owned by Spinetta the Great died 1352 a powerful member of the Malaspina family which dominated the area in the middle ages Under the gaze of the tower stands a public courtyard a magical place in a stunning hilltop position where various community events are held every year You will find the local people in Viano warm and friendly There is a bar and a shop in the village and regular vans bring fresh bread fish groceries and produce The villages of Gragnole and Monzone have shops and are just 10 minutes drive away Larger supermarkets can be found in Aulla Villafranca and Sarzana There are post offices and banks in both Gragnole and Monzone Gragnole has a chemist Part of Tuscany Lunigiana is an ancient territory extending from the Apennines to the mouth of the River Magra This hidden corner of Tuscany is rich in mediaeval history castles Romanesque churches and ancient hilltop hamlets of astonishing beauty dot the landscape everywhere Bounded by the Mediterranean Sea the Apuane Alps and the Appenine Mountains Lunigiana is a land lost in time Its geographical location and turbulent history have combined to create a unique landscape one that even to this day remains preserved and intact from overdevelopment Lunigiana remains virtually untouched by the rampant urbanisation and industrialisation that plague many areas of outstanding natural beauty in other countries It has a uniquely rural character where life moves at a traditional pace yet it is easy to reach from the international airports at Pisa Genoa Parma and Milan For more information go to wwwLeisureItaliacom Lunigiana a truly enchanting holiday destination

Additional Information

About Skiing

Just 30-40 minutes drive away from Viano are the pretty ski resorts of Zum Zeri, Cerreto Laghi and Prato Spilla. These resorts are situated in the Apennine mountains and are are ideal for family ski-ing and snow-boarding.

About Beaches

Viano is inland from La Spezia on the Mediterranean coast. South of La Spezia, along the Versilia Coast from Marinella di Sarzana to Viaraggio, there are many beaches amongst them some of the longest and finest in the Mediterranean. A number of these are well-serviced stretches requiring a small entrance fee. The entry prices can vary depending on the location and facilities such as water skiing, wind surfing and paragliding. The most northerly of the Cinque Terre villages, Monterosso, also boasts a long sandy beach with both public and private sections.

About Airport Information

Lunigiana is well served by low cost airlines which fly in to Pisa, Parma and Genoa airports, all 1 hour's drive or less away. A little further but still within easy reach are Milan's two international airports. The area is well connected by autostrada to all of these airports. Detailed directions from the various airports to the property will be sent with each property booking confirmation. To check low-cost flights from the UK to Pisa, Parma, Genoa and Milan go to www.skyscanner.net

About Parks

Viano is surrounded by major parks of international significance: 1. Equi Caves Cultural Park: the prehistoric Equi offers a diverse natural experience including grottos, canyons, the Equi Terme thermal spa town, the Equi Cut walk, the Caves Museum, the Archeopark and "The Buca" (The Pit). The Equi Caves Cultural Park opens on July 15th and closes on September 15th. 2. National Park of the Apennines: The wild, and extraordinary beauty of this region includes ecosystems of great scientific interest. Amongst the peaks golden eagles soar and wild Apennine wolves roam. Within the recently formed Apennine park you can find some of the highest peaks of the northern Apennines, from where you can enjoy wide views over steep valleys, large woods, and large mountain grasslands. 3. Apuane Alps Regional Park: the striking Apuane range of marble-topped mountains sits between the Apennines and the sea. This extraordinary alpine landscape encloses an incredible variety of rare flowers and plants as well as wild fauna and important archeological and geological sites. For the active it is possible to go on beautiful walking or horseriding tours and the steep mountainsides and deep caves of the Apuane Alps attract many cavers and climbers. 4. Cinque Terre National Park: On the coast within 45 minutes drive lies the delightful “Cinque Terre” - five old, pastel-coloured fishing villages strung along the coast to the north of La Spezia which rise sheer from the sea in dramatic situations. Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterosso all produce wine for which they are renowned since ancient times. Surrounded by steep terraced vineyards which tumble down to tiny coves and beaches where you can swim and relax. At Monterosso there is a huge sandy beach with all facilities. It is possible to visit the Cinque Terre by train (every hour from La Spezia) or by boat. The villages are linked by the main Rome-Paris railway (mostly underground) and can be reached by daily boat trips from Monterosso and Lerici. By far the best way to see the Cinque Terre is by foot and a network of ancient paths and mule tracks link the villages through olive groves and vineyards, orchards and chestnut woods. The Cinque Terre National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the railway line was voted No 1 “Railway Window on the World" by “The Independent” in 2006.

About Local Attrcations

1. Fosdinovo Adventure Park The Fosdinovo Adventure Park overlooks the castle Malaspina within walking distance of the hilltop town of Fosdinovo. The park offers an exciting alternative to the usual day at the beach and is a place for people of all ages who love open air and adventure. As well as an adrenalin-fuelled aerial assualt courses other activities at the park include orienteering, quadbiking and mountainbiking. 2. Marble Quarries and Workshops Visit the huge marble quarries of Massa-Carrara. The renowned flawless-white marble quarries of Carrara were the source of bright stone for the Colosseum, the Pantheon, London’s Marble Arch and Michelangelo’s David. Today, more than 1 million tonnes of marble are quarried every year from nearly 300 quarries. Nowadays modern transport and methods are used to transport the heavy marble slabs down the mountains to the port at La Spezia. In days gone by the process was a manual one called “La Lizzatura” which involved the use of oxen and special sledges. Every summer this ancient and highly dangerous technique is used to lower a block of marble in the traditional way.from the mountains to the sea. For an interesting day visit the Museum of Marble, V.le XX Settembre, n. 85, Stadium area, Carrara, Tel. 0585/845746. Quarry tours can be organised by the Carrara Tourist office - telephone 0585/240063. 3. Museums Lunigiana hosts a wealth of museums that document and portray the treasures of the region: i. Archeological Museum of the Stele Statues, Piagnaro Castle, Pontremoli An important collection of stone statues of human figures from Neanderthal times. ii. Lunigiana Ethnographic Museum, Bagnone An extensive collection of instruments, clothes and domestic objects used in the daily life of Lunigiana peasants in yesteryear all housed in a fascinating riverside mill setting. iii. Lunigiana Natural History Museum, Aulla Situated in the imposing Brunella Fortress, the museum incorporates recreations of all Lunigiana's natural habitats and ecosystems, from the chestnut and beech groves to the mountain prairies and mediterranean vegetation. iv. "Jacobi da Fivizzano" Printing Museum, Fivizanno As the cradle of Italian printing and the home of the world's first typewriter, this museum is dedicated to Fivizanno's Jacobi Bononi who started printing in 1471. v. Equi Terme Museum of Caves A museum dedicated to the history of the human presence in the vast Equi cave complex at the foot of the Pizzo d'Uccello. vi. Marble Museum of Carrara This interesting museum charts the story of marble working and Carrara marble, the famous white stone favoured by Michaelangelo. 4. Festivals Every year the Lunigiana comes alive with fairs, shows, festivals and markets. Medieval Markets in Filetto and Villafranca take place during August, the Bagnone Chestnut Fairs in October, Pietrasanta's monthly antiques market, Massa's coin and stamp show in October, the "L'arte nella strada" in Marina di Carrara at the end of July and the Fiera di San Martino in Fivizanno in October are just a selection of the events on offer. Stemming from the fact that many major publishers originate from nearby Montereggio, the famous Fiera del Libro or Pontremoli Book Fair is held in July and August with Italy's most important literary award presented at this. Massa puts on the Giornate Numismatiche e Filateliche massesi, a coin and stamp show in the middle of October. 5. Nature The wooded hills and craggy mountains of the Lunigiana present a splendid, unspoilt natural environment for nature lovers and ecologists. Towered over by the high crests of the Tuscan-Emilian Appenines - recently recognized as a National Park - and by the majestic Alpe Apuane, Lunigiana has an exceptionally unpolluted ecology that must be experienced at first hand. Whether on foot through ancient chestnut woods, on mountain-bike or horseback in the mountain pastures, in a canoe or with a fishing-rod in the rivers, torrents and gorges, you will find a natural serenity and beauty that is quite unique. In the chestnut and beech woods or in the bilberry-covered meadows, it is not unusual to come across goats and squirrels, or catch sight of falcons and golden eagles in the sky. The autumn season provides beautiful colours and healthy walks for picking wild mushrooms (permit needed) and sweet chestnuts. 6.Frignoli Botanical Gardens, Sassalbo Situated at a height of 900 metres the Frignoli Botanical Gardens near Fivizanno house a spectacular array of native plants, herbs and tree species in specially constructed natural environments.

About Local Restaurants

Gastronomy Food is a cornerstone of Italian culture and lifestyle and the Lunigiana region is no exception. Lunigiana is famous for its wonderful dishes and quality of its food and the area has a number of unique regional specialities, cooking styles and flavours. Lunigiana food is characterised by its simplicity, its freshness and its quality. And of course, the excellent food is served in a wealth of good local restaurants which tend to be very reasonably priced. The local dishes include the "torta d'erbi" (herb cake), the lamb of Zeri, cinghiale, or wild boar, from the Lunigiana hills, the "Carscenta", a typical bread, the pattona, the spongata, the "bomba di riso" (rice bomb), the "frittini della Lunigiana", the "lasagne bastarde" of Bagnone, the "arbadela", the "coi pien" (stuffed artichokes), testaroli (a type of flat bread served with pesto sauce and local cheese) and the panigacci of Podenzana, cooked in the fire-place in terracotta plates that are put on top of each other. Local chestnuts and mushrooms (funghi porcini) form an important ingredient in many dishes.

About Walking

Without doubt, Lunigiana offers some of the finest walking in the world. Whether you traverse the high mountains of the magnificent Alpe Apuane or Appenine mountains, explore the chestnut woods and meadows of the beautiful valleys or follow the banks of the many rivers and torrents you will have an unforgettable experience. Lunigiana and the Alpe Apuane offer over 250 km of marked trails. Spring and Autumn are the best seasons for hiking in this area. Spring is resplendent with flowers and in autumn chestnuts and mushrooms can be collected (with the appropriate permits of course). Summer also offers glorious walking although it can be a bit too hot for some! Delicious wild raspberries and blueberries abound and these can be enjoyed without restriction. In the mountains long-distance walkers can take advantage of the Refuge (rifugio) system of the Italian Alpine Club which provide shelter to hikers and climbers.

About History

Castles & Forts It is not for nothing that Lunigiana is known as the land of the 100 castles. Indeed, during the middle ages Lunigiana had no less than 160 castles although the ravages of time and war has reduced this figure today. Nonetheless, the region still has the highest concentration of fortified structures in Italy and dozens of these defensive structures are to be found dotted around the area often in magnificent positions. Viano itself is a fortified village on the site of the ancient Viano castle, part of a line of fortifications that protected the ancient Via Francigena trading and pilgrimage route to Rome.

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Contact Information for Medieval village house in rural Tuscany sleeps 6 Italy

Name:	Alan Kennedy
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