The Pigeon House Of The Cypresses · Arz442

A historic Leopoldina-style property to be completed amongst the cypress trees of the Valdichiana, with an adjoining arched outbuilding and 22,000 square metres of land
Ref. ARZ442
At the end of a long avenue of cypress trees, in the Valdichiana countryside not far from Cortona, a historic Leopoldina house awaits restoration. Built during the era of the Grand Duke’s major land reclamation projects, when this valley was redesigned on a human scale with orderly farms, canals and farmhouses of austere proportions, it still retains its dovecote turret, which overlooks the greenery like a lantern over the plain. All around, some 22,000 square metres of land, enclosed by a curtain of cypress trees, preserve the silence and seclusion of days gone by.
Arriving amongst the cypresses
The entrance is one of those gestures that Tuscany does best: an avenue of tall, dense cypress trees guides the eye towards the façade, whilst in the morning their shadows stretch across the lawn like the lines of a musical score. The same green curtain embraces the entire property and separates it from the outside world, allowing only the wind, the birds and the sweeping horizon of the valley to enter. Within the grounds, a water well provides a precious resource for the garden, a kitchen garden and everyday country life.
The Leopoldine House
The main building covers approximately 480 square metres gross over three storeys. The ground floor, measuring around 225 square metres, formerly housed the cellars, storerooms and the old oven – rooms with thick walls that today could accommodate living areas, a large kitchen or wine storage spaces. The first floor, of the same size, was the main living area, with rooms arranged around the central staircase and a loggia overlooking the countryside. At the very top, the dovecote, measuring approximately 30 square metres, offers a small viewpoint over the Valdichiana. The house has already undergone major structural reinforcement, including the complete refurbishment of the roof and floor structures: the timber beams and terracotta tiles of the new roof restore the warm, traditional aesthetic and provide a solid foundation for completing the restoration in accordance with the client’s plans.
The arched outbuilding
The annexe stands as a separate building, covering approximately 292 square metres, comprising the large main room of around 230 square metres and a side wing of approximately 62 square metres. Upon crossing the threshold, you enter a space that takes you by surprise: original pointed arches resting on pillars, impressive ceiling heights and a soft, glancing light that washes over the brickwork and the ancient plaster. The brick vaults, arranged in intricately crafted geometric patterns, bear witness to the care with which the service buildings of the grand ducal estates were constructed. This space has the potential to become a charming guesthouse, a spa, a venue for events and receptions, a studio or a space dedicated to hospitality.
A project for the Valdichiana
The property lends itself equally well to a prestigious private residence or a high-end hospitality venue, thanks to its generous dimensions, absolute tranquillity and convenient location: the A1 Valdichiana motorway junction is around 5 km away, whilst Cortona and Montepulciano are approximately 20 km away. All around lies the Tuscany of Nobile vineyards, stone villages perched on the hills and roads that glow golden at sunset – a landscape that can be reached in just a few minutes from here and to which one returns every evening along the same avenue lined with cypress trees.