Former ancient watch tower just 25 minutes from Florence which has been restored and converted into 3 apartments with 5 bedrooms in total. Ideal home and rental income, extended family or a single magnificent home. Gardens, olive trees, swimming pool.
Florence Tuscany 13th-century Medieval Watchtower
On the Florentine hills, about 25 mins from Florence is this 13th-century medieval watchtower for sale. The tower has been finely restored and converted with a total of 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. It has been divided to make three apartments for a total surface area of 395 sqm and would be ideal for a boutique vacation rental accommodation business thanks to its facilities and proximity to Florence. Standing on 4.5 hectares of land which include a terraced garden, an 8 × 4 m pool and 165 olive trees.
Basic services (supermarkets, bank…) are available in the nearby town (2km; 5’) but you are not far from many of the well-known towns and cities towns of Tuscany such as Florence, Colle di Val d’Elsa, San Gimignano, Siena, Lucca, Pisa, Montepulciano, Pienza, Montalcino.
The closest airport is Florence (28km; 45’) but the airports of Pisa, Bologna, Perugia and Rome can be quickly and easily reached as well.
The watchtower has a surface area of 395 sqm – 4,250 sqft, with 5 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms and is divided into three independent apartments plus a technical room (4 sqm – 43 sqft) with its own access from outside.
– Apartment A has a surface area of 186 sqm – 2,001 sqft: living room, reading room, kitchen, two bedrooms with en-suite bathroom and walk-in closet. The veranda outside the living room offers a stunning view of the surrounding hills, while a staircase descends into the cellar;
– Apartment B has a surface area of 76 sqm – 818 sqft: kitchen, living room, bedroom and bathroom;
– Apartment C has a surface area of 129 sqm – 1,388 sqft: living/dining room, kitchenette, bathroom, master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, bedroom and library leading to the rooftop panoramic terrace (60 sqm – 646 sqft).
The building was mainly built with Albarese stone, a calcareous rock which is typical of the Florentine countryside, and was built in the 13th century. Once a watchtower protecting and guarding the valley below, the building has been entirely restored and is in good condition. Inside the tower, the restoration preserved its most characteristic features, with stone walls and doorways very visible. A new renovation carried out in 2022 included the replacement of the insulation on the terrace and a general retouching of the finishes.
The tower, which was built in a dominant and very panoramic position, is surrounded by roughly 4.5 hectares (11.1 acres) of land terraced with typical dry stone walls. The garden is mature and well-maintained, covering the terraces towards the wood.
The terraces also include 165 olive trees which could be used to produce extra-virgin olive oil for personal use.
An 8 × 4 m swimming pool has been placed not far from the tower. All around the basin is a wooden sunbathing area that offers incredible views of the surrounding countryside.
The watchtower, thanks to its layout and the division into three apartments would be ideal to start a boutique vacation rental accommodation business, renting out the single units and/or the whole property. The great privacy offered by the property and its closeness to Florence are both great features that increase the desirability of the property to tourists.
Alternatively, the three units could be easily reunited into a single prestige home for private use, enjoying great privacy and panoramic views.
- TYPE: 13th-century Medieval watchtower divided into 3 apartments
- CONDITION: Restored
- LOCATION: Hilly, panoramic
- ACCESS: Unpaved road (500 m)
- MUNICIPALITY: Florence
- PROVINCE: Florence
- REGION: Tuscany
- INTERIORS: 395 square metres (4,250 square feet)
- TOTAL ROOMS: 14
- BEDROOMS: 5 (up to 6)
- BATHROOMS: 5
- ANNEXES: Technical room
- MAIN FEATURES: Stone walls, wooden beams, wooden and terracotta floors, original stone walls, Guelph crenellation, panoramic terrace, veranda, terraced garden, olive grove
- LAND: 4.5 hectares (11.1 acres)
- OLIVE GROVE: 165 trees
- GARDEN: Yes, well-maintained on the terraces
- SWIMMING POOL: 8 × 4 m
- ELECTRICITY: Already connected
- WATER SUPPLY: Private spring + Artesian well
- TELEPHONE: Already connected
- ADSL: Yes
- GAS: LPG
- HEATING SYSTEM: Radiators
- CLOSEST CITIES AND TOWNS Town with services (2km; 5’), Florence (15km; 25’), Rufina (18km; 25’), Colle di Val d’Elsa (64km; 1h), San Gimignano (69km, 1h 15’), Arezzo (76km; 1h 10’), Siena (87km; 1h 20’), Lucca (98km; 1h 45’), Pisa (107km; 1h 30’), Montepulciano (109km; 1h 35’), Pienza (116km; 1h 45’), Montalcino (125km; 2h)
- CLOSEST AIRPORTS Firenze A. Vespucci (28km; 45’), Pisa G. Galilei (104km; 1h 30’), Bologna G. Marconi (107km; 1h 30’), Perugia San Francesco (159km; 2h), Roma Ciampino (287km; 3h), Roma Fiumicino (301km; 3h 10’)
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