Figline Valdarno, Tuscany 50063

The castle is located in the heart of Tuscany between Florence and Arezzo in a side valley of the Valdarno. It is a formerly fortified rural hamlet dating back to the 12th century with several buildings that have been structurally restored (finished structures and roofs). The buildings currently have a gross floor area of approximately 3,526 m² (i.e. Including walls), which can be expanded by 881 m² as part of a restoration project. Despite this work, the buildings remain unique because they were built directly on the rocks, which gives them a regal harmony. It is located on a very scenic hillside, extremely picturesque area, quiet and peaceful, very private. It is no coincidence that the singer and artist Sting chose this very landscape as his Italian residence. Access is via a gravel road. Coming from below, one sees a first group of buildings made of limestone mixed with sandstone and bricks, which, due to the type of wall cladding and the ground plan, cannot be dated to the Middle Ages, but perhaps to modern times. The same is true for the second group of buildings, which seem to be more substantial and show both recent additions and remodelling and traces of medieval building interventions, mainly through the use of limestones arranged in regular parallel rows. As in most Tuscan castles and hamlets, the fortified core of the estate was built directly on the rock, which appears alternately with the masonry in most of the buildings. Certainly the complex consisted of a whole series of rooms, which were later supplemented by other structures used for both residential and agricultural purposes, so that the original layout is difficult to discern. On the south-east façade of one of the groups of buildings, a semi-circular arch opens out, surrounded by finely crafted masonry that, according to its type and architectural features, can be dated between the end of the 12th century and the first half of the 13th century. The property includes an olive grove covering approximately 2.2 hectares. Equipped with: Electricity, own well water, olive grove. Energy performance: An energy performance certificate is not required. Buyer's commission: 3.66% (3% plus 22% Vat) of the purchase price.