Villa Le Mura * - Sleeping 16

An exquisitely restored ancient nobleman’s villa situated in a dominant position in the historical town of Barga, commanding amazing views over the rooftops of the town itself and the surrounding appenine and apuane mountain ranges. Dating back 500 years, this villa was owned by the local Nobleman and is steeped in history .

 

The property is situated in the midst of ancient gardens, split into different terraced areas. The gardens are beautifully ‘furnished’ with quality garden furniture, sunbeds and loungers making outdoor living a must….The gardens boasts a limonaia for covered al fresco dining, a drinks terrace, a dining terrace, grassed areas, a large fountain for cooling off, and even its own party area with dance floor, DJ/music facilities/double bar with ice making and cooling facilities  This is pure luxury….

For a feeling of yesteryear, there is even a garden Rustic Kitchen complete with wood oven perfect for making pizza!

 

Whilst set in a peaceful position in the old town, one can walk down mediaeval style streets, to various good restaurants, shops, 16^th Century Theatre/ Opera house, music, and the local outdoor swimming pool….

 

This vast villa is totally unique and sumptuously finished, and really is a once in a lifetime experience!! The property is filled with antiques, original frescos luxury fabrics, original artwork, and comfortable seating, gorgeous bedrooms, marble luxury bathrooms (two with claw foot baths) , 2 indoor kitchens both of which are a chef’s dream, and a  large tiled Turkish steam room.

Whilst luxurious, the house has been designed and refurbished with relaxed comfortable living The  villa, although beautiful, is not stuffy or fussy.  And the  furniture has been chosed to look good and be functional.  The furnishings are meant for everyday use with normal respect not for overcautious pampering.

 

For those real casual times, there is a modern TV room ……..!

 

 In total the property boasts 9 bedrooms, 6 bathrooms, 2 internal kitchens, one with large pantry, steam room, gallery, casual dining, study, TV room, Formal dining, card room, main Salon, office, and Tower room.

 

The villa has been lovingly restored by a designer and artist over the last 10 years and is a joy to behold

 

Experience now, since the property  has been extremely reasonably priced for its inaugural year, and will certainly increase dramatically for 2012……

 

Prices are the same all year round and include underfloor heating when required

 

NB – the reason this house does not have a pool is the unique historical location and the owners cannot get permission. However, with the beautiful gardens, luxury sunbeds, outdoor bar, outdoor showers and the fountain it is easy to cool off, and children will love playing in the latter. For days when a pool is required one can walk down to the pool in Barga which has a bar/little restaurant, a large adult pool, a children’s pool (for meeting friends) lots of sunbeds, paved sunbathing areas, grassed sunbathing areas, umbrellas, trees for shade too and a view of the surrounding mountains….

 

Further details of facilities:

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Main entrance foyer.

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Large chef’s kitchen in custom hand crafted chestnut cabinetry, with hot and cold prep areas including double marble work surfaces, two hand forged deep copper sinks, two dishwashers, two refrigerators, two rotisserie ovens, two ceramic cook tops, and a commercial ice maker allowing for entertaining on a grand scale. The large working fireplace adds warmth and ambience.

· Dispensary where provisions, cooking equipment and household linens are stored. The dispensary has hook-ups for a clothes washer and dryer, a chest freezer and an additional refrigerator.

· Off the main kitchen is an intimate breakfast room with French doors opening onto a large paved sun terrace.

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Adjacent is a delightful, intimate sitting room/study with 18th century carved marble fireplace. French doors to the sun terrace.

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Up a few stairs is the long gallery which connects to the grand staircase. The gallery features a vaulted terra cotta ceiling and south facing windows for wonderful natural light.

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Downstairs cloakroom  complete with shower

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To the right is a grand and opulent Turkish bath with private changing room adorned in Bisazza glass mosaic tiles

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·Majestic staircase     

· Grand salon with firplace and original frescoes from the 1700’s, leading to  spacious Juliet balcony overlooking the gardens and the Apuane Alps
Salon leads to Spacious office  with high speed internet connection and office facilities

 

· Master bedroom… with  fireplace  wooden floors a private en suite  shower room  finished in travertine marble and a glass enclosed shower.
Double bedroom finished in handbuilt chestnut with plenty of storage and mirrors This room can also double as a dressing room. en suite bathroom--a custom designed and very deep Roman soaking tub with sunflower shower head.

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·         Further double bedroom with an en suite bath.

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Twin bedroom overlooking the fountain on the upper garden terrace.
Formal dining room with grand stone fireplace and small cigarette balcony with yet another amazing view.

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Off the main dining room is a Noble high ceiling double bedroom with views over the terra cotta rooftops to the Duomo (Cathedral).

·         An adjacent corridor leads to the oldest (we speculate 1500’s) and more rustic part of the fortress.

·         Double or twin tuscan bedroom

·         single tuscan bedroom  (which originally contained a secret spot where the founding family stowed away allied soldiers from the Nazi army that occupied Barga during the WWII)

·         bath  room with double marble sink and restored claw foot soaking tub with shower.

·         At the end of this corridor is direct access to the highest garden terrace with views of the village, ancient fig tree and newly designed party terrace.

·         A custom contemporary Italian kitchen with black lacquer cabinetry, circular granite work counter top with a frosted glass dining surround perfect for cooking schools, group breakfasts  Large oven, 5 ring hob, fridge/freezer, double sink etc
Open plan into  informal lounge with Sky TV.

·         One twin bedroom and one single bedroom exposed terra cotta and chestnut finishes share a multi room bath complete with a private slipper tub and connecting laundry and storage facilities.

The Tower:
From the second floor, a long flight of steep wooden stairs leads up to the tower. This room, one of the largest in the villa, is fully restored yet undefined. Original 1700’s neo Gothic windows facing three directions enable a bird’s eye view of the villa grounds and the surrounding Garfagnana valley.

• Outside
  Exquisite garden spaces are the highlight of the property:
• Views in every direction and complete privacy with high walls
• Formal gardens with statuary and fountain for cooling off.
• Stone paved entertainment terrace can seat 120 people for weddings and formal dinners.
• Limonaia, for further outdoor dining
• Party terrace with built in 2 bartender bar with ice freezers and wine chillers, band and DJ lean-to with power, paved dance floor, outdoor shower.
• Sunning terrace,
• Rose gardens
• Forno garden with garden kitchen, complete with pizza oven

 Do ask for prices for weddings, or special celebrations.....

Please note that this special property has different payment arrangements to those detailed on our usual terms and conditions sheet, and these will be organised directly with the owner. In addition a security deposit if E1000 is payable.

This property is a part of the '' group of properties.



Other properties in this group are:

Situated in the historic centre of Barga, with wonderful views at every turn, this property is a perfectretreat, yet it is a stones throw from all the facilities of less  the mediaeval town of Barga, with its hilly windy cobbled streets, duomos, 10th century cathedral and ancient architecture.

Barga is also renowned in the area for its good quality, but reasonably priced restaurants. There are plenty of great gelaterias for that all important Italian icecream, and lots of bars with outdoor seating areas, along with pattisseries selling scrumptious home made fayre.

There are often outdoor concerts/plays performed, often free of charge, int the many small piazzas in town, and during the festas the town often puts on wonderful firework displays.

There is a Saturday morning market, a regular small antiques style market, and in high summer a weekly market under the stars. There are plenty of little one off shops, galleries, and a supermarket.

The town also boasts a beautiful outdoor public swimming pool with sun terrace, grassed areas, plenty of sunbeds, all surrounded by a view of the mountains.

Barga is circa 1 hour from Pisa, 1 hr 30 mins from Florence; 45 minutes from the walled mediaeval city of Lucca and close to the National Parks of the Apuane Alps. Hilltop villages abound, and exploring can be either townie or totally rural - the choice is yours, if you can tear yourself away from the villa!

Weekly rates Jan 1st 2012 - Dec 30th 2012 : £4,025 These prices are for indication only, bookings for this property will be charged in Euros. Show me the correct prices.

Available Pending Booked

Please contact us to make an enquiry regarding this property.