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Housed in a former monastery that dates back to the year 1100, these comfortable apartments have recently been meticulously restored, using beautiful local materials of the highest quality. The property is situated in a dominant position at the top of the village, so commands lovely views overlooking the surrounding Chiana Valley. A simple, elegant, rustic Tuscan style characterizes the interior design and sometimes even features frescoed ceilings. All the apartments are let on a self-catering basis, but the on-site restaurant can provide all meals if required.
 Featuring hand-crafted dark wood, wrought-iron and brocades, the furnishings of these apartments remain harmoniously in keeping with their historic architectural context, which includes the traditional terracotta-tiled/beamed ceilings and white or colour-washed walls of the past. Particularly striking are also the wonderful, polished tiled floors, in elegant light shades and integrating colourful patterns at their centre. The delicately, yet intricately frescoed ceilings in some of the apartments have been faithfully restored to their original 18th century splendour.
Some of the apartments have their own terrace or balcony, affording countryside views or overlooking the little tree-lined piazza to the side of the house. All enjoy the peace and quiet of this out-of-the-way hilltop location, where the steep, narrow, medieval streets are not conducive to much traffic!
Set to the rear, below the main building, the covered restaurant terrace looks out over the pool, which boasts a panoramic backdrop of olive groves, woods and  farmland, embracing the medieval hilltop town of Lucignano in the distance. A tall, lone Cypress tree, one of Tuscany’s most famous trademarks, stands alongside.
ACCOMMODATION: Although each apartment has its own unique lay-out, all are equipped with: air-conditioning; Sat.TV; and shower.
- La Porta (sleeps 3): in 1 single bedroom and on double sofa-bed in living room; 1 bathroom.
With its own separate outside entrance at street-level, this apartment comprises: a living room with double sofa-bed and integrated kitchen units along one wall; one single bedroom; modern fitted bathroom with shower, issuing on to a rear tiled, walled terrace (shared with next-door apartment, divided by pot-plants).
- Il Sodello (sleeps 3): in 2 bedrooms with 1 bathroom.
With its own separate outside entrance at street-level, this apartment comprises: a very spacious living room with double sofa-bed and integrated kitchen units along one wall; one single and one double bedroom; modern fitted bathroom with shower.
 - La Cella (sleeps 2): in 1 bed-sitting room with 1 bathroom.
With a ground-floor entrance leading off the reception-area in the main building, this unusual mini-apartment comprises: a combined living/bedroom, partitioned into two separate sections by a wardrobe unit and with a vaulted ceiling frescoed with vines; a modern fitted bathroom with shower; a separate kitchenette, issuing on to a rear tiled, walled terrace (shared with next-door apartment, divided by pot-plants).
- Il Cacciaconti (sleeps 2+2): in 1 bedroom plus extra on double sofa-bed with 1 bathroom.
This first-floor apartment comprises: a spacious living room; a separate kitchen with balcony; modern fitted bathroom; one double bedroom, with fireplace and 18th century frescoed ceiling.
- Il Cassero (sleeps 3): in 2 bedrooms with 1 bathroom.
This first-floor apartment comprises: a bright, spacious living room with sofa-bed, lovely antique fireplace and a superb, exquisitely coloured and decorated wood-beamed ceiling; a separate kitchen with frescoed ceiling and large sunny terrace;  one single and one double bedroom; modern fitted bathroom with shower.
- Carlo V (sleeps 3): in 2 bedrooms with 1 bathroom.
This bright, spacious, second-floor apartment, situated directly under the pitched roof, comprises: a living room with sofa-bed and integrated kitchen units along one wall; one single and one double bedroom; modern fitted bathroom with shower.
- Granduca Leopoldo (sleeps 3): in 2 bedrooms with 1 bathroom.
This second-floor apartment comprises: a living room with frescoed ceiling and integrated kitchen units along one wall; one single and one double bedroom; modern fitted bahtroom with shower; panoramic top-floor views of surrounding hills.
IL RISTORANTE DEL BORGO:
Open also to the general public, the hotel restaurant commands relaxing views over the unspoilt Tuscan countryside from its picture windows. It serves typical regional specialities, complemented by a fine selection of the very best local wines, some of which are world-renowned.
 On request, the chef will also hold cookery classes (minimum 4 participants), where guests can learn to prepare traditional Tuscan recipes based on home-grown, organic ingredients. The course always includes a demonstration of how to make fresh pasta by hand and likewise always culminates in an enjoyable dinner, consisting of the delicious fruits of your labour!
HISTORY: The medieval village of Scrofiano, in whose historic centre the apartments are located, still preserves the concentric rings and town gates of its original urban plan, as well as its lovely 13th century church of San Biagio. One of the ancient towers of the monastery complex now housing the suites dates from as far back as 1100 and was more recently used as a nursery school.
Scrofiano was allied to the Republic of Siena, who favoured it with protection throughout the long centuries of conflict with the Republic of Florence. When the latter finally achieved victory, aided by Emperor Charles V, Scrofiano came under the rule of the powerful Florentine Medici family.  Subsequently, in 1777, Grand Duke Leopold of Tuscany united its administration with that of neighbouring Sinalunga. Its town-hall tower, its keep (cassero) and the remains of its town walls originate from that period.
Scrofiano’s privileged elevated setting enjoys all-round views out over the fertile Chiana Valley and the Sienese hills beyond.
Every August the village hosts the popular wine-tasting festival ‘Wine Glasses By Starlight’.
LOCATION: The nearest A1 motorway exit is ‘Bettolle Valdichiana’, only 5 minutes’ drive from Scrofiano. The village is ideally situated for easy excursions by car to the main scenic and cultural attractions of southern Tuscany and northern Umbria.
OTHER FACILITIES: There are a bar and a small grocery store in Scrofiano village itself, but many more larger supermarkets and amenities (including a multi-screen cinema complex, with children’s play area) in the picturesque town of Sinalunga 5kms away. There is also a small railway station there,  with regular local services to Siena and Arezzo.
There are lovely outdoor and indoor thermal pools at nearby Rapolano Terme and an amusement park in Perugia. |
