Description

Listed properties: VILLA (Country Seat), Farmhouse, Land

Villa (Country Seat)

Building Class: luxury A8.
Location : Castell’Anselmo (LIVORNO) – Tuscany – Italy

Description:
Ducal Villa in ‘castellano style’ built in the second half of the 19th Century, on top of a hill which is part of the property. It is distributed on three levels: ground floor and first floor 300 mq,  mansard loft 120 mq.

The property lies in the heart of the beautiful Tuscan contry-side, with the mansion standing at the top of the hill affording a delightful panoramic view of the village Castell’Anselmo below and surronding scenery. Above the mansion there is a minaret (tower) from where it is also possible to admire these spectacular views.

It is at 15 minutes driving distance from the sea, and 30 minutes from the historical city of Pisa, famous for its ‘Leaning Tower’ and an hour’s distance from touristic hotspot of Florence.
Even with this proximity the property still remains a location of absolute peacefulness.
Peace and quiet are guaranteed as the area is completely absent of the pollutions of modern life.

There is the local flora and fauna for those who love to relax, and the short distance from the Tuscan county towns for those who seek the amenities of the city. This provides harmonic balance between wellbeing and relaxation and urban life.
Both the villa and the ample drive are surrounded by ancient and remarkably tall cypresses, the typical tree of Tuscany.

In the majority of the rooms are fresco wall paintings and high quality mortar ceilings, crafted over a century ago by expert artisans.
The vaults are decorated with antique coat-of-arms that belonged to the noble houses of that period.
The walls and the underlying structure are of sturdy dimensions.

Restoration works have taken place during the years, however, some areas of the villa do require further maintenance.

Satellite view

Farmhouse

The farmhouse is located behind the main building and was originally assigned to the servants.
It is placed on two levels (200 mq). The roof maintains the characteristic merlon ornament, to recapture the style of the villa. It needs some renovations.

Satellite view

Land

The property includes 12 and a half acres of farmland, which in particular consists of an olive grove of 250 trees in full yield.

Satellite view

Summary

Surrounding and Neighbouring structures

The property is strategically positioned at a short distance from all the most beautiful resorts of Tuscany, and from the international airport of Pisa ‘Galileo Galilei’.
The area is very close to the coast - about 15 minutes.
It is in the vicinity of a paragliding and parachuting training centre  - 1km distant.
Fitness Club “Città del benessere” is at a close distance. The neighbourhood offers 3 different riding schools/clubs, a ‘bowshot’ training centre and two sport-fishing centres.
A prestigious golf club is now under construction, commissioned by the famous wine maker Frescobaldi, approximately 2 kilometers away.

Downhill from the citadel of Castell’Anselmo there has recently been discovered an ancient thermal spa that dates back to the Ancient Roman period. The site is currently an archeological spot of remarkable interest.

History of Castell’Anselmo and surroundings.

The ‘Leghorn Hills’ region is appreciated for its closeness to the city of Livorno and for the mild climate, that has the positive consequence of the maritime air composition. Castell’Anselmo lies within a territory that is part of the council of Collesalvetti, previously an ancient Roman town, then an important agricultural medieval feud.

Due to the cultural inheritance there are numerous noteworthy towns and hamlets, with a richness of historical and culteral testimonies.
Such an example is Castell'Anselmo, of which detailed historical information dates back to the 10th century. In 1432 Castell'Anselmo was practically destroyed by the Florentine Army.

Around ‘Torretta Vecchia’(Old Turret), on the SS 206 highway (the ancient consular road ‘Emilia Scauri’) are the remains of ancient thermal baths of noticeable importance, thought to date back to the 1st century AD, recently excavated.

Further on can be found Colognole, founded as a Roman Colony from which it derives its name.
Situated on the Leghorn Hills, at 209 metres above sea, Colognole is especially famous for its ‘Leopoldino’ aqueduct that runs across the town and has its springs within the territory. The aqueduct was commissioned in 1792 by Ferdinand III, Grand Duke of Tuscany.

Recently in Guasticce there has been a discovery of ancient pile-dwellings: this area was probably inhabited in remote times.

Within the town of Nugola, or Nuvola or even Nubila, is the farm ‘Fattoria di Nugola’ and a chapel consacrated to the Saints Cosma and Damiano, built in the year 1553 at will of Cosimo I de' Medici, who was Duke of Florence from 1537 to 1574, reigning as the first Grand Duke of Tuscany from 1569 and wife Eleonora di Toledo.

Finally are the two ‘Parrane’. The term indicates the location of two villas with two adjacent churches. Originally known as ‘Parrana Vecchia (1109)’ – old and ‘Parrana Nuova’ – new, the first is consacrated to S. Giusto (Parrana Vecchia) and the latter to S. Martino; both churches are a part of the ‘Pieve di S. Lorenzo in Piazza’ – Pieve denotes a rural church, in the Pisan Diocese.