Casale Colle Belvedere – Lucca

An ancient farmhouse in the northern hills of Lucca, in the millenary hamlet of Pieve di Brancoli, immersed in tranquility and nature. Unique place to relax among seasonal flowers, olive trees and centuries-old chestnut trees. From Casale Colle Belvedere you can enjoy a breathtaking view that ranges from the city plain to the hills of Volterra, from the peaks of the Apennines and the Apuan Alps to the sea. A unique experience to experience the feeling of feeling suspended between heaven and earth. The space The farmhouse has numerous rooms and large outdoor spaces to enjoy a stay in the sign of tranquility, to relax, walk or play inside the estate. Availability for parking on the property of multiple cars. The interior of the farmhouse consists of: UPSTAIRS * Living room * Dining room * Large kitchen * Breakfast room FIRST FLOOR * 1 double bedroom, * 1 double bedroom with a French bed, * 1 family room that can be set up as a double or twin and with any other 2 extra beds. * 1 bath The exterior consists of a large garden that extends between olive trees and centuries-old chestnut trees. From the garden you can enjoy an almost 360° view that goes from the city of Lucca, the hills of Volterra and a glimpse of the sea, until you can walk and admire the Apennines and the Apuan Alps, with an evocative view of "L 'Omo Morto." The pool is positioned in such a way as to offer the best view and usability. Ideal for those who want to stay in tranquility and nature, relaxing on the meadows, under the shade of the olive trees or among the chestnut trees. Also perfect for those who want a convenient base from which to visit Lucca, its hamlets, the nearest villages such as Barga and Bagni di Lucca or go to other cities or the Tuscan countryside. From the Casale you can make excursions, on foot or by Mountainbike, along the network of white roads that cross the hills, the old mule tracks, paved paths where the caravans of the mules traveled, or the path of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) called SCL (Trail Colline Lucchesi), with which you can reach countless villages and fascinating places. Guest access In the Casale, the living area will be available, consisting of the ground floor and first floor, the veranda, a small garage, the garden on which the pool is located and which opens to olive groves and woods. (There is a shed in the garden for equipment storage) Abroad there is a table and chairs for alfresco dining, sofas, paddocks, and loungers to relax. There is also a foosball. An old wood-burning oven and a large mobile BBQ are available to guests upon request and at no additional cost. In the autumn and winter months, the pool is closed and the heating costs are charged in advance with a cash deposit. Other things to note The construction of Casale Colle Belvedere is before the 16th century but the year of its actual foundation is unknown. Already owned by the Bishop of Lucca, it was granted to the current family of owners with the ancient practice of enfiteusi, a type of rental that includes a rent, the burden of improvement of the property and the possibility of ransom. Today the family redeemed the entire property and in the summer months they make it available to their guests. It is still clear from the ancient contracts that the annual rent amounted to some stie of wheat (unit of measurement of about 20 liters) and several barrels of wine. Over time, the Casale has undergone several changes and renovations with the division into various residential units and their subsequent reunion. Some parts still feature the characteristic Tuscan ceilings, with beams and beams in chestnut, terracotta mezzanines, and large bearing walls, built with the "sack" technique and free of mortar. Peculiare is the olive floor of the manor room, made in the second half of the 80s and obtained from the processing of the drums of olive trees dried in the ice cream of 1985, an event counted in the local annals as one of the strictest winters in history. The garden still has the characteristics of the past with a shed, whose ground floor was used as a barn and the upper barn with mandolate characteristics, and the current woodshed, once lethargy. The spaces today used as a garage were metatie, or smoky and dry for chestnuts. The surrounding land is still productive for both olives and chestnuts, which the owners grow to have oil and chestnut flour, both fundamental elements in typical Lucca cuisine. The garden opens, as before, in a free and natural way on the olive grove as in the "jungle", so the chestnut forest was said to be kept clean for harvest. These spaces, with small precautions, are still available for walks or to enjoy the natural shade of centuries-old plants. Casale Colle Belvedere saw the most difficult time in its history during World War II, when, due to its location with a wide range view, it became a German military outpost as an outpost of the Gothic Line. In the jungle there are still two trenches, a bunker and a pitch for machine guns, carved into the earth. Approximately 100 m downstream of the Casale, along the Via di Colloreto there is a commemorative plaque in memory of two American soldiers who were killed by the fire that exploded right from that pitch. Registration Details IT046017C26EYL62SF