An ancient farmhouse, for exclusive use, on the northern hills of Lucca, in the thousand-year-old hamlet of Pieve di Brancoli, surrounded by 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 vehicles. The interior of the farmhouse consists of: MEZZANINE FLOOR * 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 additional beds. * 1 bathroom The exterior consists of a large garden that extends between olive and 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, to being able to walk and admire the Apennines and the Apuan Alps, with a suggestive 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 the quiet and nature, relaxing on the meadows, in 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 towns such as Barga and Bagni di Lucca or to go to other cities or the countryside of Tuscany. From the Casale it is possible to make excursions, on foot or by mountain bike, along the network of white roads that cross the hills, the old mule tracks, paved paths where the mule caravans passed, or the path of the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) called SCL (Sentiero Colline Lucchesi), with which you can reach countless villages and fascinating places. Guest access In the farmhouse, the residential part will be available, consisting of the ground floor and first floor, the veranda, a small garage, the garden on which the swimming pool is located and which opens onto olive groves and woods. (In the garden there is a shed used as a tool shed) Outside, a table and chairs are available for outdoor dining, sofas, armchairs and deckchairs for relaxing. There is also a foosball table. An antique 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 to be paid in advance with a cash deposit. Other things to note The construction of the Casale Colle Belvedere dates back to 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 emphyteusis, a type of lease that provides for a rent, the burden of improving the property and the possibility of redemption. Today the family has redeemed the entire property and in the summer months makes it available to its guests. It is still clear from the ancient contracts that the annual rent amounted to a few sties of wheat (a unit of measurement of about 20 liters) and several barrels of wine. Over time, the farmhouse has undergone several modifications and renovations with the division into various housing units and their subsequent reunification. Some parts still have the characteristic Tuscan ceilings, with chestnut beams and joists, terracotta mezzanines, and large load-bearing walls, built with the "sack" technique and free of mortar. The olive floor of the master bedroom is peculiar, made in the second half of the 1980s and obtained from the processing of the trunks of the olive trees dried in the frost of 1985, an event listed in the local annals as one of the harshest winters in history. The garden still has the characteristics of the past with a shed, whose ground floor was used as a stable and the upper one as a barn with the characteristic mandolates, and the current woodshed, once a dunghill. The spaces now used as garages were metati, i.e. smokehouses and dryers for chestnuts. The surrounding land is still productive for both olives and chestnuts, which the owners cultivate to have oil and chestnut flour, both fundamental elements in the typical cuisine of Lucca. The garden opens, as in the past, in a free and natural way onto the olive grove as in the "selva", as the chestnut forest kept clean for harvesting was called. These spaces, with small precautions, are still usable for walks or to enjoy the natural shade of centuries-old plants. Casale Colle Belvedere saw the most difficult moment in its history during the Second World War, when, due to its position with a wide-ranging view, it became a German military garrison as an outpost of the Gothic Line. Two trenches, a bunker and a machine gun emplacement, dug into the ground, are still visible in the forest. About 100 m downstream of the Casale, along the Via di Colloreto, there is a commemorative plaque in memory of two US soldiers who were killed by the fire that exploded from that very square. Registration Details IT046017C26EYL62SF