The Barns - 5 people Casale Monticchio, a 17th century farmhouse

The two adjoining barns gave us the 150 sqm to form our second apartment, The Barns. Where possible, we have left all the stone walls exposed so there is a warm atmosphere throughout the year. Once upon a time there was a mezzanine level in one of the barns so we reinstated it to create the second sleeping area above what is now the living room. With the help of a local blacksmith, we were able to make a 4 meters high single door, linking the terrace to the living room. Where possible we have left testimonies/clues of the past use of the buildings. The space used for pressing the grapes was converted into a bathroom but we left the two pipes which appear in the main bedroom, as this was where the grape juice was collected. There is a 20 by 5 meters swimming pool shared with the other three units. Happy memory: a few years ago we decided to make a meal, the old fashion way, using the old bread oven which is attached to the barns. Alfonso who lives nearby and is a great cook agreed to come down and help. The clients, Klaus and Mone , were game for this adventure. The roast pork and pizza were a great success. What none of us had appreciated was the high temperatures involved and that the fabric of the building absorbed this heat. So in the middle of August Klaus and Mone had to deal with a 5m high wall radiating heat for two days!