Al Belvedere 6+2

Al Belvedere, in the heart of Umbria, 20 km from Perugia and 1 km from the well-known Castle of Solfagnano, consists of a main house and an annex; two completely distinct structures, both for architectural style and for location in the park. Simple in style and resplendent with the natural beauty of Umbrian wood and stone, the main house is central to the character and spirit of this unique place set in the renowned olive groves and prestigious vineyards of castles, hamlets and abbeys, overlooking the surrounding hills and peaks, such as the Castle of Solfagnano, the Abbazia Celestina and Civitella Benazzone. Situated in the centre of the twenty hectares of land of the Diocesan Institute, obtained from monastic farm buildings, it is a welcoming home, a realm of tranquillity and peace. Built with stones recuperated from the original walls, the house has been carefully and lovingly restructured in recent years under the aegis of the Fine Arts Institute which sealed the end of the works with the date 2005 engraved (thus officially registered and documented) in the stone of the highest buttress of the tower. Today it offers all modern comforts without losing any of its intrinsic rustic charm, enriched by antique furniture, prestigious finishes, elegant tapestries, personalised furnishing accessories, collections, Deruta tiled bathrooms. The numerous original architectural features such as arches, vaulted ceilings, chestnut beams and stone walls create an atmosphere of timeless serenity and remind us of its still-living history: that of a watchtower built in 1194 as protection and garrison of the rich lands of the Resina stream and the Tiber Valley between Perugia, Assisi and Gubbio. Crossing the Italian garden bordered by beds of iceberg roses and the olive grove that delimits the panoramic viewpoint, you go down to the terrace with the swimming pool where the style completely changes on entering the annex. In front of the pool, it is completely interred and embedded in the olive grove above in a surprising total white contemporary concept with glossy resin floors and six metre-long French windows that create a continuum between the solarium with floating laminate paving and the urban-style interior. Al Belvedere is the perfect residence for those who prefer to abandon themselves to the restorative qualities of nature, open countryside and stunning landscapes in this area that boasts numerous nature reserves, including the breathtaking Monti Sibillini National Park, and to visit places renowned for history, art, culture and food and wine which, however, are not part of the usual known tourist routes. NB. Next to the house is the Romanesque church of the diocese, with its attractive bell tower that is no longer officiated so no bell will disturb the relaxation and quiet of Al Belvedere. The farm worker's house, thirty metres from the parking area, is separated by a thick hedge, thus guaranteeing complete privacy.
Interior:
Al Belvedere is spread on four floors connected by a practical internal staircase in iron with terracotta steps. On the ground floor, the arched door of the tower opens into the large entrance hall which leads to the kitchen on the left and to the dining room on the right; from the dining room you continue to the large elegant sitting room with comfortable sofas and to the staircase down to the basement. All the rooms on the ground floor have antique terracotta floors and direct exits to the garden through French windows, rendering both the internal and external spaces easily accessible. The large built-in kitchen, brightly-lit and fully-equipped, with worktops, dining table and digital terrestrial TV has direct exit to the courtyard with the outdoor dining area. From the entrance, you ascend the three floors of the tower, all paved with parquet, which with its 160 cm thick walls guarantees a sort of natural air conditioning, keeping the summer temperatures pleasant. The first floor of the tower contains the three bedrooms, all characterised by a different and captivating style: a twin room with queen size box spring beds in a revisited Louis XVI style and en-suite bathroom with extra large shower; a contemporary double bedroom with walk-in closet and en-suite bathroom with extra large shower; a classic double bedroom with hallway, wardrobes and en-suite bathroom with shower. Going up to the second floor of the tower, a brightly-lit studio facilitates the passage to the third and top floor of the tower which houses a TV room (with Smart Tv) and panoramic windows overlooking the Tiber Valley and the enchanting borgo of Civitella Benazzone. From the sitting room on the ground floor we go down to the terracotta-paved basement with living room with sofas, table and chairs, bathroom with tub, laundry room and exit to an open-air enclosure with stairs that connect it to the large terrace on the ground floor. 60 metres from the house, descending further down, encased under the olive grove, on the same level as the pool, and 5 metres from it, is the ANNEX. An open-plan area that is very brightly-lit, despite being completely underground thanks to the large 6 x 3 m French window, which consists of a living room with Smart TV, kitchen, double bed, bathroom, dressing room and room with extra large wall shower with three independent jets. All the fireplaces are ornamental. All the bedrooms have mobile Dyson Purifier Cool hydronic fans (purifying coolers) while two mobile Argo Polifemo (evaporative coolers) are also available to guests.
Park:
The 6-hectare park of Al Belvedere lies within the 20 hectares of the grounds of the Diocesan Institute. It consists of grass, arable land and woodland. The 6000 sq m that surround the house, annex, swimming pool, parking area and purtenances are fenced with anti-intrusion netting 120 cm high (not electrified when guests are present) and contain a lawn, an Italian garden, bushes of roses, hydrangeas, oleanders, forsythia, lilacs, a young olive grove, rosemary, fruit trees, oaks and the inevitable cypresses that line the driveway. The kitchen has direct exit out to the courtyard bordered by hydrangeas and roses with barbecue, dining table, chairs and umbrella. The entrance to the house, dominated by the medieval tower, is enriched by two symmetrical beds of pure white iceberg roses that emanate delicate and subtle scents. The open air parking area with space for three cars is located at the end of the dirt road which is accessed through the automatic gate. Next to the house is the Romanesque church of the diocese, with its attractive bell tower that is no longer officiated so no bell will disturb the relaxation and quiet of Al Belvedere. The farm worker's house, thirty metres from the parking area, is separated by a thick hedge, thus guaranteeing complete privacy.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 swimming pool, exposed to the sun all day, occupies a lower terrace with respect to the house which is 60 m away. It is located on the same level as the annex, which is 5 m away. From the house and parking area, it is reached across the garden and down a grass and gravel path. Overlooking the Tiber valley, it enjoys a relaxing view of the hill of Civitella Benazzone. The pool, measuring 16,5 x 5,5 m with the depth varying from 1,40 to 2,20 m, is lined in sand-coloured PVC with a travertine edge and has salt purification and five Roman steps for access to the water. The surrounding sunbathing area, paved in floating laminate and delimited by the lawn, is equipped with sunbeds, a large umbrella, an outdoor seating area and a solar shower. In the annex is a bathroom, a changing room and a room with hot and cold-water showers. The pool is open from the last Saturday in April until the first Saturday in 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.