Tuscany, Lunigiana, Mulazzo, Italy

Charming one-bedroom home, nicely restored to combine modern convenience with ancient character, set in the heart of a medieval village.

The accommodation is on one level, with steps up from the street to a balcony. Accommodation comprises: entrance hall, kitchen, living room, 1 bedroom and bathroom with shower. There is a wealth of character including beautiful original floors, beamed ceilings, and a vaulted ceiling in the kitchen. Electric heating and hot water, with the benefit of a wood-fired stufa to keep it extra cosy in winter. There is also double glazing.

Set in the hills between the towns of Mulazzo and Pontremoli, with easy road access and free parking in the village parking area. The pretty village is immersed in nature, surrounded by wooded hills with views to the mountain peaks, yet with amenities a short drive away and restaurants close by.

Mulazzo is well known for connections with Dante. It is said that Dante was exiled here and it was here that he wrote the purgatory of the famous ‘Divine Comedy’. There are several hill villages set amongst the chestnut groves and streams and rivers that criss-cross the lush green landscape. There is a pizzeria / restaurant in Mulazzo, a wine bar and a friendly café on the piazza. The village also hosts a museum on the life of Dante as well as a book shop. The town of Barbarasco is just a few minutes drive and has a good selection of shops and restaurants as well as cafes, chemist, schools, etc.

Pontremoli was built between two rivers as an expansion of the central castle. Wherever you look, you will find elegant palazzos with internal courtyards overlooking the river, porticos and stylish piazzas. The cobbled lanes leading up to the castle are flanked with stone houses and interlinking arches. The twin arched roman bridges are the gateway on either side of the town. Pontremoli has a good selection of shops and restaurants, a theatre, hospital and the famous Castello which houses a museum. The central Piazza della Repubblica has traditional cafès where you can mingle with authors as the town hosts the most important Italian book prize. Don’t miss the imposing white marble Cathedral and colourful street market on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Lunigiana is a magical part of Tuscany. The hills that encircle Lunigiana create an intimate and relaxed atmosphere whilst the blend of the mountains and sea are extremely inviting to those who enjoy the outdoors. 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. Lunigiana is special and has been likened to a magical kingdom. It is not only the breath-taking scenery with its abundance of medieval castles but you simply feel a huge sense of wellbeing radiating from the sunshine, glorious countryside, delicious food and wine, kind friendly locals and most importantly, from the sense of tradition and community amongst people here that is rarely seen in modern day life.

The golden sandy beaches around Lerici and the pebble coves of the Cinque Terre are ideal for swimming and sailing in the summer while the snow clad mountains offer skiing in the local resorts during the winter months and are each a short drive away. The area is criss-crossed with marked footpaths for walks to the hills and mountains. The airports of Pisa, Parma and Genova are all within an hours’ drive.

Distances: Pontremoli 6 km (supermarkets, trains, autostrada), Lerici (beaches) 45 km, Cinque Terre 40 km, Parma 80 km, Lucca 95 km, Pisa (airport) 105 km.