Villa Il Turco still retains
the character of past centuries, and its history is
nowhere more evident than in some of the fine pieces
of furniture. At the same time, the villa has as a focus
a welcomingly informal area (easily accessible from
the gardens) that is centred around the kitchen/dining
room/television lounge on the ground floor.
I'd like to
mention especially the kitchen - warm and welcoming
thanks to an old open fireplace - that, owing to its
large size, can comfortable accommodate group breakfasts
or informal meals. There are two bathrooms (one with
bath and one with shower) on the sleeping floor and
a third, with a beautifully finished shower of Carrara
marble, on the ground floor.
The pool is
located between the gardens and the olive groves, and
the villa has two fine gardens - a formal Italian one
and a classic English lawned garden, perfect for children
or sunbathing.
I need also
point out the restaurant located at just 100 metres
from the villa. The restaurant is often called on to
provide catering for the villa - using the estate produced
wine and oil, naturally - and you are well advised to
book at weekends as the restaurant is much frequented
by locals.
I have decided
to write a few lines about Villa il Turco for anyone
who has decided to make it their home even for the briefest
period. There is a tight emotional as well as aesthetic
bond between the villa and my family.
At the end
of the thirties my grandfather fell in love with this
property that seeped history and nobility from every
stone. During the 2nd World War the villa became a place
of refuge for the whole family. The hope was that the
frescos from the 1500s and the period furniture would
act as a shield against everything that was happening
beyond - and so they did; the beauty of the villa was
untouched by the war in spite of it being the headquarters
of first the German and then the American armies.
My father
has carefully guarded this property up until just a
few years ago. Now some of our clients have become our
best friends, and what has brought us together has been
the strange sensation of living in the history of the
place, and whether it be for a week, a year, or 70 years,
the feeling is the same.
If you are simply looking for a villa with a swimming
pool for your holiday then Villa il Turco is probably
not what you are looking for. The antique furnishings,
rather than being a bonus, are almost an encumbrance,
while the massive windows in some parts of the villa
have to stay closed in case of damage to the antique
prints still to be found in the rooms. If on the other
hand the very idea of communing with nature, art and
history lifts your spirits - send us a message!
Dr. Cristiano
Castellani
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