Villa Apartment for rent near Florence, Italy. 14thC castle on a 100h estate MARIASOLE is a spectacular, spacious farmhouse apartment with frescoes and Loggia. Large groups ask about the possibility of renting other villas on the same estate !! This estate comprises of a private forest, vineyards and olive groves. Magnificent spacious private 180m2 villa apartment just 10 mins from Florence centre. On the nobile floor of the villa the rental apartment has antiques, frescoed ceilings and a beautiful loggia looking onto a breathtaking renaissance garden. Outdoor dining, walks, very quiet and private. This is the perfect place to discover Florence and enjoy the real Tuscan countryside living in an elegant castle that has accommodated guests such as Napoleon Bonaparte and King Charles VIII of France. Famous architecture design. Shared Swimming Pool.The apartment sleeps 5 Note: Children from 2 to 13 are not allowed at this villa. Also the fireplace is just ornamental at this villa. For security purpose they dont allow the use of fireplace in this villa. Wonderful dining experiences at the many local restaurants, some noted as being the best in Italy. Relax at the villa apartment and enjoy its grounds, wine and forest, or discover the many local attractions such as horse riding, trekking, antique markets, Caruso`s villa and gardens, medieval villages and Etruscan ruins. Trains, buses and all shops within walking distance and close to all major highways. Stroll down and buy your fresh bread or morning cappucino and experience living like a local. This is an incredible vacation experience. Live like a king, totally restored 5 years ago. From the formal living room 2 sets of double doors open onto the loggia and the very typical Italian style gardens with lemon trees, hedges and fountain. Sunny, very peaceful and private. 12m high ceilings with breathtaking frescoes, gold gilded mirrors, terracotta floors, and towering stone carved columns are the features of the lovely property which has been described as one of the best examples of a 14th century villa in Tuscany.The property produces fantastic extra virgin olive oil and typical chianti wine. Each room is a pleasure in itself, the main bedroom opens onto the front terrace with views of the town and surrounding. The main bedroom has a very large king size bed and the room is enormous. The windows are dressed with silk curtains, the large antique crystal chandelier illuminates the frescoed ceilings and there is a ornate marble fireplace. The second bedroom has wooden parquet floors , arched ceilings with frescoes and a small en suite with wc and handbasin. The bed is a queen sized and there is an extra single bed. The main bathroom is 1 full bathroom with a tub, shower, toilet and hand basin and can be accessed from the living room or the main bedroom. The fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher, 4 gas burner stove top, oven, microwave, fridge & freezer,all pots and pans the feature is a vaulted ceiling and ornate fireplace with a dining table seating 6. This is a privileged location only 10 mins from Florence enter whilst enjoying the beauty of country living. The owners speak; English, French, German and Italian. History of MARIASOLE: MARIASOLE foundations date back to 1200. The original use of the palace was a hunting residence for the elite Florentine Gentile. The origin of the MARIASOLE was near Ponte A Signa and from ancient times they owned this villa and the other villa called on the Arno known as La Torre (the tower) that even today conserves the aspects of a 1300s walled castle. Agnolo di Filippo, great friend of Cosimo de Medici and admired by Leon Battista Alberti, tired and old retired in the villa of Ponte A Signa for 12 years, here he wrote the brilliant dialogues of the governing of the family and died at 86 years of age in 1446. In 1434 the formers wealthy nephew Battista di Pandolfini returned in patria from Naples and gave the initial magnificent architecture to his villa at Ponte A Signa, honoured by the king of France Carlo VIII on the 13th of November 1495. Pandolfini has been engraved with the date 1488 which is believed to be the date of the full restoration of this antique palace. The linear and harmonious architecture, the beautiful loggia, richly carved windows, the perfect sculpture of the stonework , reflects the work of the famous Bendedetto da Rovezzano. King Carlo VIII of France visited the castle from childhood. Since the 14th century nothing was changed or hardly confirmed by Giuseppe Zocchi. At the beginning of the 18th century the Pandolfini sold their antique villa to the family Samminiatelli which immediately resold the villa to the De Prat exiled from France after the revolution. In one of the living rooms, like the others, the 800 style frescoes ornate the room and hung on one of the walls is a large oil painting of the Marchis Francesco De Prat in his white and red uniform that is narrating to his son the episode of July 14 1790, whilst serving as naval commander, and his meeting with the king Luigi XIV; also present is his wife dressed in satin who seated watches over us. Today all three rest in the chapel constructed by Filippo Pandolfini. Other guests included Napoleon Bonaparte. Minimum stay: 4 Nights. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ More details:- Maximum Capacity: 5 Single rooms: 0 Double rooms: 2 Twin rooms: 0 Extra beds: 1 Single sofa beds: 0 Double sofa beds: 0 Bathroom with tub and shower: 1 Bathroom with tub: 0 Bathroom with shower: 0 WC Only 1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Facilities:- General Features: Balcony, Close to Public Transport, Garden, Heating, Parking, Town prox, View Accessories: Barbecue, Cot, Dishwasher, DVD, Freezer, Hair dryer, Highchair, Microwave, Satellite, TV, Washing machine Services: Babysitter, Cook, Cot, Fax, Laundry, Linen, Local markets, Maid service, Restaurant nearby Activities: Outdoor pool, Wine tasting nearby Other Services: Additional maid service available on request Baby cot available. Hairdryer on request. Golf, cycling, walking, horse riding, jet ski, sports complex, trekking, swimming, flora & fauna ---------------------------------------------------------------------------