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Mulino di Giacinto
is an old chestnut mill set deep in a magical and verdant
chestnut forest. It sleeps four to six people in two
bedrooms with one bathroom and is suitable for close
family groups. This property is recommended for nature
lovers in search of silence, tranquillity and relaxation.
Paddling is possible in the crystal clear waters of
the mill race that gush from pool to pool past the mill
and on down to the valley below.
 The
mill is located 300 meters out side of a small long
bard village high in the chestnut forests that cover
this part of Tuscany and would be delightful in any
season.
ACCOMODATION: Downstairs: One crosses the
terrace and enters the cottage straight into the kitchen/living/dining
room. The massive millstones that once ground the chestnuts
have been cleverly converted in to the dining table.
The kitchen is neatly placed in the corner and has a
monolithic stone sink, a small fridge and a stove. It
has all that is needed to prepare simple rustic meals.
There is no dishwasher.
The living area is down a few steps
on a split-level and has comfortable armchairs and a
sofa. In the corner is an amazing floating staircase
made from huge blades of wrought iron that have been
set in to the hand plastered walls. (Please note that
the staircase could be dangerous for very young children).
 The emphasis is on natural
fabrics and neutral colours and every thing in the cottage
has been carefully considered and selected for it's
aesthetic presence as well as its functionality.
Upstairs: One finds the double bed in the main part of this
level and off it a small but carefully designed modern
bathroom with a beautiful glass shower cubical and another
bedroom with two twin beds. The second bedroom has a
back door to the out side. The upstairs walls are really
only partitions with doors. Whilst visual privacy is
maintained this accommodation is better for family groups
or singles and less suited for two couples
The thick slate roof of the house
effectively insulates it in both winter and summer.
The interior of the cottage is heated by a modern combustion
stove that is more than adequate. It feeds radiators
that run from pipes into the bedrooms. All the floors
are made from hand cut local chestnut or stone.
 The house contains a small stereo
cassette player but no television. Please note that
there is no phone and so tenants must bring their own
cell/mobile phones. The garden and grounds.
The mill has a large terrace in the
front perfect for out door dining and a smaller one
on the up stairs level opening from the twin bedroom.
The two verandas are perfectly positioned to create
a seamless contact with nature and the surrounding environment.
The stream that once drove the mill
wheels gushes past the house and on down to the valley
below. Outside
the main door one finds a spacious terrace furnished
with teak wood tables and chairs, a pizza oven and a
built in grill/BBQ. The lawn in front of the house also
is well stocked with sun lounges and other garden furniture.
The swimming pool is 800 meters from
the villa and is shared with the owners.
 The stream comes from a font above
the house and all the land around is part of the grounds.
This means that the water is crystal clear and not in
any way polluted by other people, farm animals or industry.
The stream has numerous ample pools suitable for bathing,
paddling and cooling off and a myriad of small natural
waterfalls.
All around massive ancient chestnut
trees create a cool leafy shade and romantic dappled
light.
LOCATION: Raggiolo is in a
wild and isolated part of Tuscany. It is close to Florence
as the crow flies but sheltered from the encroachment
of modern life by its position, perched on a steep and
rocky hillside, immersed in a deeply wooded and almost
forgotten part of Tuscany close to the natural reserves
on the Benadetta and Serra Alps.
Suggestive
and romantic, the mill is just outside of this antique
village that was originally Longobardian.  This can be
clearly seen in the architecture, which is more reminiscent
of the mountainous north of Italy than the sunny climes
of Tuscany. It lies between antique churches and historical
castles, near to the famous monasteries of Camaldoli
and La Verna, at the edge of the forest reserve Casentinesi.
The village has two bars, a small food shop, a church
and a chestnut museum.
Upon your arrival the owner will meet
you in the village piazza to take you and your luggage
to the mill in his four-wheel drive vehicle. This is
because the house can only be reached this way or on
foot via an old mule path that crosses over an ancient
stone bridge. Walking from your car in the village piazza
to the house will take you less than 10 minutes and
is not difficult. The owner will be back at the end
of your stay to escort you and your luggage down again.
The countryside is rich in history,
art, culture and gastronomic tradition. Raggiolo is
one hour from Florence,  30 minutes from Arezzo, one
and ¼ hours from Cortona and 1-½ hours
from Siena. The closest airport is Florence (1 ½
hours) and Rome airport is about 2 hours by car.
HISTORY: Up until the mid 1970's the village of Raggiolo
had over 1,000 inhabitants who's sole source of income
arose from chestnut and Porcini mushroom gathering.
The mill was first built in the early 1800's to grind
the chestnuts in to flour.
In 1996 Michele Liberatori and his
wife came across what seemed to be no more than a pile
of stones in a delightful forest glade, dappled with
sunlight and traversed by a rushing gurgling mountain
brook. They knew immediately that this was the project
they had been looking for and immediately set about
buying the property and restoring it in away that was
both modern but also totally in keeping with the original
architectural integrity of the building.
They were well equipped to do this
as he is a young architect, bursting with new and exciting
ideas and she works in one of the for most interior
design stores in Italy. Together they have created a
symphony of antique and modern rustic design that is
at once architecturally pleasing, comfortable and functional.
 CLIMATE: Due to its high altitude
and forested location the mill is always pleasantly
temperate, even during August. In the winter the snow
lies on the ground during December, January and February.
All year around the mill race gushes past the house
filling the air with its pleasing sound and attracting
small animals and other native fauna. With in its course
are numerous natural pools suitable for cooling off
in and paddling.
EXTRAS: The woods above and belonging to the cottage are
filled with Porcini mushrooms. Guests wishing to collect
their own may arrange to take them to a local man in
the village who can sort the villainous from the delicious.
Please note: This property
does not have air conditioning. Air conditioning is
rarely necessary in Tuscany due to the lack of humidity
and the temperate climate. Almost all of our properties
at InTuscany are in remodeled medieval or renaissance
buildings. They generally have very thick walls and
high ceilings, most are built on the tops of our gently
rolling hills where they catch the breezes that spring
up at mid day and in the evenings.
Generally air conditioning
is only found by the sea side or in the city centers
where noise and/or humidity make it necessary. We do
not have air conditioning in our offices or in any of
our own homes.
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