The magical atmosphere that you breathe at Podere Pomasciano while sipping a glass of wine, fruit of the vineyard lying on the hill beyond the garden, is certainly also due to the events and legends that have followed on one another in these lands over the centuries, to the aura of magic and mystery that has always surrounded the Etruscan civilization that once inhabited these lands and that, thanks to a dense network of paths, used the farmhouse, situated in a dominant and strategic position, as a staging post in the route between Perugia and Orvieto. The history of Podere Pomasciano is closely related to the legend that recounts of a young girl named Agatha who lived in the 16th century and who, after having drawn water from a spring on the property, stopped to rest in the shade of a majestic olive tree where the Virgin Mary appeared to her. The Madonna asked her to erect a small church in that spot and, to ensure that the young girl was believed, made her go home with her upturned jug miraculously filled with water. On August 5, 1551 an unexpected snowfall traced the perimeter of what would be the future chapel, followed by the construction of the Shrine of the Madona degli Ulivi by the community of San Vito. The olive tree was enclosed under the high altar of the little church, while the water of the underlying spring is still today considered blessed by the locals and by the many pilgrims who, every year, visit the Shrine. In 1700 the farm was bought by the Corneli family, the current owners, who for more than two centuries have devotedly cultivated the fertile lands of San Vito a Monte; for many years these lands have been cultivated in accordance with the dictates of organic farming and the transformation in wine, oil, soups, boiled legumes and tasty sauces, without the use of preservatives, additives and flavourings, has been done in the Laboratorio Certificato Bio (organically certified laboratory) owned by the farm. The house was inhabited up until 20 years ago by the farmworkers who worked these lands and, in 2013, was renovated with taste and elegance, in both the finishing touches and furnishings, maintaining intact its authenticity with exposed-stone faรงades, wooden-beamed ceilings and floors in terracotta manufactured in the old furnace of the farm which was active up to the postwar period. Its dominant position where there is always a pleasant breeze, the well-kept park with pool, the charming pond, the large vegetable garden at the guests' disposal and the various set-up living areas such as the shady terrace, the cool vine-covered pergola and the brightly-lit veranda allow you to appreciate the unspoilt rural scenery of the countryside that stretches as far as the eye can see in an area rich in well-preserved medieval villages and scenic sites of particular natural, faunistic and paleontological interest. From here the most beautiful towns of Umbria, like Perugia, Todi, Orvieto, Assisi and Lake Trasimeno, and of nearby Tuscany are easily reachable in less than an hour.
The Emma Villas Concierge Team can be reached for any emergencies, or further information you may require during your stay. All useful telephone numbers will be sent together with your booking documents.
Interior:
The house has two floors connected internally and externally via a typical external staircase. The main entrance on the ground floor opens into the entrance hall leading to the various areas on this floor: to the left, up a few steps, you come to the large, bright veranda with sofas and armchairs; on the opposite side of the entrance hall is an exit towards the back of the house with a small pergola. To the right, a corridor leads to a hallway with two guest bathrooms and a laundry room and then on to the kitchen, with a thermo-fireplace, which leads out to another pergola overlooking the pool. At the end of the corridor you come to the large living room with arches, divided into dining area and lounge area with fireplace. From here you exit to the garden and the large terrace. In the centre of the corridor is a brickbuilt staircase up to the top floor consisting of a living room with exit to the loggia of the external staircase, four double bedrooms with en-suite bathroom with shower, one with divisible bed, and a double bedroom with en-suite bathroom with tub. Air conditioning only in the bedrooms.
Park:
About 250 hectares of cultivated fields, olive groves, woods of holm oak and truffle oak beyond the vineyard frame the house, embellished by a level fenced garden of 5000 square meters with well-kept lawn and enriched with many Mediterranean plants such as laurel, rosemary, oleander, viburnum, mulberries, pomegranates, lemons, lavender bushes, pittosporum, dahlias, jasmine, buddleia. From April to December, the garden is filled with the flowering of a collection of English roses of the renowned David Austin who has been able to combine the wonderful forms and fragrances of antique roses with the colours of modern ones. The large garden is at the complete disposal of the guests who can stroll around and admire the view from among the many beds of herbs and seasonal vegetables and can examine the agricultural tools used by the farmworkers up until the last century. Not far from the pool, the ornamental pond with phytopurifying water plants, lotus flowers, iris, mint, papyrus, calla lillies and horsetails is populated by graceful dragonflies and croaking frogs that regale the summer evenings. Around the house are various comfortable set-up areas for relaxing and dining outdoors: the shady panoramic terrace with table, chairs and sofas connected to the living room, the vine-covered pergola off the kitchen furnished with table, chairs, wood stove and barbecue, ideal for alfresco dining, and, finally, a further pergola behind the house with sofa and armchairs. The property has a parking wooded area located in a lower level and just a few metres from the house with seven uncovered spaces.Please notice that photos are taken in spring, therefore flower blossoming, and the colours of the gardens' grass could be different at the moment of your arrival at the villa.
Swimming Pool:
The newly-built swimming pool lies in a panoramic position in front of the house which is only 20 metres away. Measuring 12 x 5 m with the depth ranging from 1,20 to 1,50 m, it is lined in blue PVC and has chlorine purification, Roman steps in one corner for access to the water, internal and external (in the terracotta-paved solarium area) lighting and an outdoor hot and cold-water shower. It is equipped with sunbeds, deckchairs, tables, umbrellas, a gazebo and a changing room down two steps. The pool is open from the last Saturday in April to the first Saturday of October.
Pets: On request. Acceptance of animals to the facility must be previously authorised by the owner upon communication of the number of animals, size and breed.