House in Fabbriche di Vallico, Tuscany

Stunning 13th century monastery. Sleeps 16 +. Great venue for events.

Stunning 13th century monastery. Sleeps 16 +. Great venue for events.

Photo gallery for Stunning 13th century monastery. Sleeps 16 +. Great venue for events.

Breakfast terrace (room for 18) facing East
rural weddings
the lake at the bottom of the hill
our  nearest  village a short walk away -Fabbriche di Vallico
wash day in Fabbriche

Overview of Stunning 13th century monastery. Sleeps 16 +. Great venue for events.

4.8 out of 5 Exceptional
8 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 16500 sq m

Popular amenities

  • PoolPoolPool
  • Hot tubHot tubHot tub
  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • Pet-friendlyPet-friendlyPet-friendly
  • Breakfast availableBreakfast availableBreakfast available
  • WasherWasherWasher

Explore the area

Fabbriche di Vallico, Tuscany
  • Popular LocationApuan Alps1 min walk
  • Popular LocationSantuario Mariano Eremo di Calomini24 min drive
  • Popular LocationGrotta del Vento31 min drive
  • AirportPisa (PSA-Galileo Galilei)86 min drive

Rooms & beds

8 bedrooms (sleeps 16)

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Bedroom 3

Bedroom 4

Bedroom 5

Bedroom 6

Bedroom 7

Bedroom 8

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Bidet · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 3

Bidet · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 4

Bathtub or shower · Bidet · Toilet

Bathroom 5

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 6

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 7

Bathtub or shower

Bathroom 8

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 9

Toilet

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Stunning 13th century monastery. Sleeps 16 +. Great venue for events.

I Romiti del Torrente is a unique accommodation and artistic retreat within a converted 13th-century Augustinian monastery. Sustainability and respect for the land and it’s people are at the heart of the restoration and running of this special location. Situated high above the river Turrite in the Garfagnana, Tuscany’s mountainous northern province, it is a place to find creative inspiration, and well-being in a valley of natural beauty.

Exclusive rental of I Romiti includes accommodation for up to 18 people on either a self-catering basis or a private chef can be provided for one-off or daily meals. Special art, language, and cooking classes can be booked, as well as wine tours, massage treatments, yoga, trekking and cycling tours. There is a working pottery on site and workshops can be organised for most age groups.

I Romiti has eight bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. The library sitting room in the mezzanine of the church offers a perfect spot for relaxing with a book or enjoying an evening cinema screening. Our flexible accommodation includes double, twin and triple occupancy rooms, each with an en-suite shower/bathroom. Two of the rooms can be connected for use as a family suite. All are wifi enabled. There is one studio apartment with cooking facilities and a private sun terrace. Cots are available on request. The east-west orientation of the building and internal shutters keep the rooms cool even in the height of the summer, and no air conditioning is necessary.

The chapel at I Romiti provides a unique and atmospheric setting for events including weddings, concerts, conferences, dinners, and parties. The origins of I Romiti del Torrente can be traced back to Roman times, when it is thought to have served as a fortified watch post for the Roman army. Its strategic position and perfect orientation for cultivation of crops secured it’s future existence of a very different nature. In 1214 the people of neighbouring Trassilico gifted the fertile lands and buildings known then as l‘Eremo di San Galgano to the hermits who had taken up residence there. Among their number, Fra Stefano became a founding member of the Tuscan hermits, which later become the Order of Saint Augustine. The monks built an imposing church to serve the local community and the monastery thrived for more than two centuries.

By the 20th century, Italian laws of succession had resulted in divisions in the ownership of church, land and buildings. The church was de-consecrated and war and depopulation of the area saw a decline and eventual abandonment of the once thriving hamlet. The restoration of I Romiti which started in 2011 has been undertaken by local craftsmen using local materials and with painstaking attention to the preservation of the historic fabric. Sustainability has been at the heart of the approach: the mountain spring from which the monks drew their water and irrigated their crops still provides the water supply, and state of the art energy and waste management systems ensure minimal impact on the environment.

I Romiti stands at the end of a private road within its own grounds, surrounded by a chestnut forest. It is accessible by most cars but not recommended for low clearance models- there is a large private car park just below us at the beginning of the road.
The gardens are simply landscaped with kitchen herbs, lavender, bay and olive trees . Stone terraces offer secluded spaces to eat outside. There is a restored stone bread and pizza oven for guests to try their hand at pizza making.

The salt water infinity pool filled with mineral water from our own mountain source- the Aqua benedotto which once filled the monumental stone font which rests outside the chapel. There are open views across the valley to the South and upwards to the next ridge where deer will often make their way down to the river bed below.







Property manager

Steven Newell

Languages

English, Italian

Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Pet-friendly
Gym

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings

Pets

Pets allowed: limit 2 total

Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 80
This property uses solar energy
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock

We should mention

All guests, including children, must be present at check-in and show their government-issued photo ID card or passport
Cash transactions at this property cannot exceed EUR 5000, due to national regulations; for further details, please contact the property using information in the booking confirmation
A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

About the area

Fabbriche di Vergemoli

Located in Fabbriche di Vergemoli, this vacation home is in a rural area and on a river. Teatrino di Vetriano and Chestnut Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Bagni di Lucca Thermal Spa and Fattoria Sardigiustiniani s.s.a. Traveling with kids? Consider Parco del Levigliese and Parco Avventura Sospeso nel Verde. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

What's nearby

  • Apuan Alps - 1 min walk
  • Santuario Mariano Eremo di Calomini - 24 min drive
  • Grotta del Vento - 31 min drive
  • Viareggio Beach - 78 min drive
  • Forte dei Marmi Beach - 83 min drive

Getting around

  • Barga Fornaci di Barga Station - 14 min drive
  • Galileo Galilei Airport (PSA) - 84 min drive

Restaurants

  • Da Sandra - 3 min drive
  • Ristorante Pizzeria da sandra di Serena Giusti - 3 min drive
  • Ristorante Pizzeria Guzzanello di Pardi Silvano - 28 min drive
  • Il Guerriero - 32 min drive
  • Flamingo SRL - 16 min drive

Reviews

4.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 5 - Excellent. 12 out of 14 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Good. 1 out of 14 reviews" "
Rating 3 - Okay. 1 out of 14 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Poor. 0 out of 14 reviews" "
Rating 1 - Terrible. 0 out of 14 reviews" "

4.4/5

Cleanliness

5/5

Check-in

4.4/5

Communication

4.7/5

Location

5/5

Listing accuracy

Reviews

3/5 Okay

Christoph N.

Liked: Check-in, location, listing accuracy
Disliked: Cleanliness
Beautiful place - but not cleaned
A place that invites you to relax and ideal for large groups! The monastery is very quiet and secluded, the kitchen is very well equipped, so you can be super self-sufficient (and for a shopping every other day, the distance of 30 min drive was also no problem). Unfortunately, the accommodation was dirty. Cobwebs, dead insects, dust, bathrooms partly not clean. Many rooms looked as if they had not been cleaned for a long time.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2023

5/5 Excellent

Nora

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Solitude and Peace in the mountains
We loved our stay and wish it could have been longer. Steve did an amazing job at taking an 800 year old property and restoring it a comfortable villa, while keeping the integrity and history intact. He was a wonderful host. The property (while somewhat challenging to get to) provides peace and solitude, fun and relaxation. Thank you for a wonderful time Steve!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2023

5/5 Excellent

Patrick M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Out of this world
Most relaxing holiday in a long time in an amazing setting. If you want to refresh your body and mind, this is the place to go.
Stayed 9 nights in Oct 2020

5/5 Excellent

Tim R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fabulous in every way
This spectacular

5/5 Excellent

Edward B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Muy buena
Fantastica
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2019

About the host

Hosted by Steven Newell

Host profile image
I am a glass artist and have always had a great love for Italy. I love the history, of places and people. I think it is important to restore structures in ways they retain both their architectural integrity and significance for the people that use them. Whilst loving solitude, an open sky and a good pile of logs to chop, I like to open the door to new faces and tell them the story of historic site.

Why they chose this property

Having left my East Coast US childhood home in my 20s to pursue a career in glass, I searched for a long time for a spiritual home. Driven by the imperatives of good company, a love of food, wine, the arts - and roof of ancient proportions over my head I settled at I Romiti. Having lived under a London skyline for too many years, I was ready for a new view. Even on a grey January day the spectacle of this view appeals to every romantic dream of a mountain retreat.

The restoration of Romiti took eight, back breaking, years. It took a great deal of collaborative effort with some of the best craftsmen and artisans in the region, and support of family and friends . Along the way I made many local friends, many who have shared their memories of playing among the ruins as children and hear the stories that had been handed down through their families about I Romiti. It has been a great joy to see how important the restoration of this much loved local site has been received by the community. Romiti has always felt like a place that many people share, past, present and future - I would like to see that continue .

What makes this property unique

I Romiti has been developed on ecological principles in order to have minimal environmental impact . Wherever possible building materials - stone and wood in the main -were recovered from the ruins of the houses, restored and re-used . A system of walls were built and bio-engineering techniques employed to support the slopes and avoid interventions such as industrial underpinning .

All water is from our own Spring, heating comes from solar energy and wood from the grounds . We have a state of the art water purification system which returns waste water to the environment without the use of any chemical agents. And we still haven't found the fabled monk's treasure stash - so for the curious with a metal detector , all is still to play for!

Languages:

English, Italian
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback

More Vacation Rentals ideas

People also search for