Tuscany, Pisa, Fauglia, Italy

In the hills of Pisa, 20 km from Pisa Airport and the coast, the ancient town of Fauglia was a popular tourist destination in the XIX century; many period palaces are still showing their splendor in the centre of the town.

Palazzo San Lorenzo is one of them and it is located next to San Lorenzo Church, right in the main piazza where there is an easy parking area. The prestigious "palazzo" has been renonvated and divided into 5 units over 3 floors. We offer for sale the largest of these, a grand apartment that occupies the entire second floor. Access from the street is through a beautiful wooden door, to an elegant stone staircase. The property comprises: large living room with cotto flooring with marble inlay, high ceiling and 3 windows; large kitchen with mezzanine; 3 large bedrooms; and 3 bathrooms. One the bedrooms also has a mezzanine and one of the bathrooms has a bathtub while the other two are with shower.

Fauglia is a busy little town with excellent restaurants such as 'La Gattaiola', with good Tuscan, seasonal specialities, and with pizzerie and coffee bars with sunny terraces perfect for watching the world go by, and with a good selection of shops. Perfectly located, less than half an hour to the coast and to Pisa, Fauglia boasts beautiful panoramic views to the villages of the Pisan hills, in the surrounding area. It is known for some exquisite Tuscan villas where families of the nobility, writers and some famous artists lived, most notably from the nineteenth century Macchiaioli art movement.

'Unless you are a nineteenth century art historian, an Italian native, or have spent a significant amount of time in Florence, chances are that you have never heard of the Macchiaioli. However, this short-lived artistic movement indigenous to Tuscany, which shared many conceptual similarities with Impressionism but pre-empted the French movement by nearly a decade, represents one of the earliest developments of European modernism. Not only do the Macchiaioli hold a unique place in this transitional period in art history, the artists that formed the movement were also deeply involved in the political transitions occurring across the Italian peninsula at that time, which would lead to the formation of the modern Italian state. Often overlooked outside of Italy, the works of the Macchiaioli are worth exploring for the freshness and authenticity with which they captured the world around them, at a time when that world was undergoing critical cultural and political change, and traditional rural life was giving way to modernity.'

Witness the Giorgio Kienerk museum, located in the nineteenth-century prison of Fauglia, which contains a significant collection of works that reflect the long career of this Italian artist who was a sculptor, painter and graphic designer. You can also visit the museum dedicated to Alvaro Marioni, a twentieth century painter from Fauglia.

The cultural centres of Tuscany are all within easy reach, with Lucca just 30 minutes away and Pisa airport in a very short hop, giving easy access. There is the famous ancient thermal spa at Casciana Terme which can be reached in only 15 minutes and the Tuscan beaches are within easy reach too. The area is well known for the high quality extra virgin olive oil and there are many opportunities to sample and purchase this local speciality, as well as speciality local cheese. The area is also renowned for the quality DOC wines, including organic wines and the Pisan HIlls Wine Road passes immediately through the area. The elegant town of Lucca with beautiful piazzas and spectacular surrounding walls, is on your doorstep. Lazy summer days at the anfiteatro, or cycling around the ancient city walls, or an evening at the many concerts of the Lucca Summer Festival are just waiting to be enjoyed. The spectacular Chestnut Festival takes over Calci each year in October when it is possible to taste hand-prepared traditional chestnut cake, as well as a host of other great local produce. Calci has a selection of shops, excellent restaurants and a nice patisserie. This is truly an excellent location. The Leaning Tower, the River Arno and all the other beauties of Pisa are almost within touching distance. Tirrenia has a beautiful beach and golf course, Volterra is an old Etruscan village full of history and Torre del Lago is the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini with a spectacular summer Opera Festival of Puccini each summer. All the art, architecture and treasures of Tuscany can be relished and explored at leisure.

Distances: Fauglia is on the doorstep, Casciana Terme 15 km, Calci 20 km, Pisa (airport) 20 km, Livorno (boats and beaches) 25km, Viareggio (beaches) 50 km, Volterra 50 km, Lucca 50 km, San Gimignano 60 km, Florence (airport) 80 km.