Tuscany, Lunigiana, Tresana, Italy

An imposing historic property in need of renovation, with an abundance of period features and a fascinating history.

Palazzo Corsini is the southern portion of a fortress house built at the time of the Marquisate of Tresana, sometime between the 17th and 18th centuries. In the late 18th century the property become an upper-class residence with a plastered façade, in the thriving historic heart of the Borgo di Barbarasco, next to the chestnut grove which hosted the area's most flourishing market. Nine cellars on the ground floor are attributed to having been used as temporary prisons during the Napoleonic conflicts!

The property is approached via an impressive stone-flagged courtyard. On the first floor, valuable frescoes decorate the palace's reception rooms, and a terrace overlooks the private garden below. On the second floor are the bedrooms and bathroom.

The porperty would lend itself to a variety of uses, as a boutique hotel, restaurant with rooms, or a luxurious family home.

The villa is set in a quiet edge-of.village location, yet only 3 kms from Aulla where there is an autostrada exit, a train station, supermarkets and shops. There are numerous country farm restaurants to discover nearby, serving local specialties and excellent walking trails abound. The small town of Barbarasco, set on the banks of the river Magra, offers a selection of shops and restaurants, schools, chemist and one of the best cheese shops in the area.

Lunigiana is a magical part of Tuscany. The rolling landscape is liberally sprinkled with castles of Medici or Malaspina vintage but for lovers of the coast the sea is only half-an-hours’ drive away. The golden sandy beaches around Lerici and the pebble coves of the Cinque Terre are ideal for swimming and sailing. The airports of Pisa, Parma and Genova are just over an hour away.

Distances: Aulla 3 km, Lerici (beaches) 25 km, Cinque Terre 35 km, Viareggio 60 km, Lucca 78 km, Pisa (airport) 83 km.