The Chapel

Refined, historic and very special!

The Chapel, located southeast of Florence, on an historic Renaissance estate, enjoys the best of both worlds: convenient access to Florence and the peace and quiet of the Tuscan countryside. It is situated in a protected and peaceful area of more than 20 hectares, just outside of the centre of Florence, at the foot of the hill of Settignano, in a marvellous environment, surrounded by meadows and olive groves.

A pine-lined avenue gives access to the villa and the other residences. The former Chapel of this stunning estate has now been cleverly transformed into a romantic guest house for a couple.

The Chapel was built in the eighteenth century and restored in neoclassical style. Originally a private chapel of a famous Renaissance family, the one-bedroom accommodation has recently been carefully restored to its original state and retains its original beauty and charm. The Chapel has been fully decorated with antique furniture by the owners who live nearby and has a wonderful atmosphere.

The interior is about 50 m2 (530 sqft). There is one double bedroom (queen-size bed) located in the chapel's original nave decorated with original frescoes, a living room with full kitchenette located in the former sacristy, and one bathroom with shower located in the former confessional.

This house offers a remarkable number of little extras: air-conditioning, TV (regional channels), CD-stereo, DVD-player, Internet access with speed connection, mobile phone, cooker with 2 hobs, fridge, microwave, coffee percolator, ample garden approx. 40 m from the house, BBQ, parking inside the property, electronic entrance gate to the estate, washing machine (located outside in a courtyard), in the living room you will find art books, travel magazines, city maps, museum and restaurant guides.

The Chapel is independent from the owners villa, who live next door and it has a wonderful atmosphere. It is particularly suitable for a couple looking for a refined cultural experience, and who want to stay in a unique historic place.
The owners occasionally allow four people to stay in the Chapel. An additional bed (1.40 x 2 m) can be put into the living room instead of the sofa (the sofa will be removed when three to four people share the house).

On the premises there is an extensive garden about 40 m from the house. The garden is conjointly used and here you will enjoy the beautiful countryside views of meadows, olive trees, cypresses and pine trees, and you will find a table with chairs, sun chairs and a sunshade, a barbecue, a pong-pong and a garden hose with drinking water.

In addition to the Chapel the owners have a beautiful double room furnished with antiques, and available on a B&B basis located in the house of the property owner. It is a large room with wooden floor and beamed ceiling, and a magnificent view through medieval windows onto the glass conservatory and the park. The room has a four post bed and an ensuite marble bathroom (with bath). Breakfast is included in the B&B rates and will be served in the kitchen of the owner's villa. On special request it is possible to add a single bed in that bedroom. This B&B accomodation can be rented only together with the Chapel.

Here you live in a green resort, far away from the bustle of the city with its humming motorbikes and honking cars. While the location is far from disturbance, it is only a short bus ride into the city. There are two bus stops in walking distance: One bus stop is approx. 300 m from the house and buses go to the centre regularly every 15 minutes; the other bus stop is approx. 900 m from the house (with a parking for your car right next to it) and buses go every 3 minutes. A 15 minutes bus ride will take you into the city centre to the Cathedral, Uffizi, Ponte Vecchio ... Therefore, this accommodation is well suited if you wish to travel without a car. Stroll to the "Ponte a Mensola" quarter, which is only 300 m away, where you will find a grocery, a breakfast bar, restaurants, a tobacconist, a newsagent, a hairdresser and one of the two bus stops. A very large supermarket is about 1.5 km away and a bank, a post office and a pharmacy about 1 km.

If you travel by car the villa's location at the south-eastern edge of Florence is a good starting point for going on excursions to the Chianti region, to Siena or to the coast, as the feeder road to the autostrada highway (exit Firenze-Sud) is only 3 km distant and can be reached easily without having to pass through the city centre. This accommodation is - compared to the usual prices in Florence - very reasonably priced and exceptional too for its quiet location and excellent facilities. A fine address in Florence!

Several additional services are available at extra cost upon request directly with the property owner: maid service, additional linen changes, ironing, concierge services. A typical Tuscan dinner can also be provided in the owners large country kitchen (with fireplace) or outside in the garden. Learn how to cook Tuscan and regional cuisine - in the owner's house, according to the motto: Order your dinner, have a look at how it is prepared and then do it yourself!

On request the property owner can organise the following for small groups:
- guided visits to the principal historic villas in the surrounding area
- short walks in the nearby hills of Vincigliata and Settignano
- nature walks along the Arno and in the historic gardens and parks of Florence
- history of art tours including guided visits to the main sights of Florence

The owners will also be pleased to welcome guests who wish to practice their Italian language skills, and to organise various activities that may be of interest such as excursions in the local countryside or make bookings for concerts, shows and other cultural events in Florence and in other Tuscan towns nearby.