Four kilometers from the town of Tuscania in an area called ancient Etruria, or as we prefer, Tuscia Viterbese, the Abbey of San Giusto rests amidst rivers, lavender fields, olive groves, and pastures dotted with donkeys and horses.
La Torre, the medieval tower of the Abbey of San Giusto, is the culminating piece of this restored site that ties it all together. A two-bedroom apartment winds through this four-storey tower, beginning on the ground floor with a private pergola that invites you to take in the view of the surrounding valley.
The living room you will encounter upon entry has retained a decidedly medieval feel, a gentle austerity from the past that presents itself with novelty today. Cavernous and adorned simply by the essence of its materials- stone walls and wooden benches that recall the days of the monastic order- it gives the impression of opening a door into a storied past. It is the well-equipped kitchen that brings us back to the present, with its induction hub, microwave oven, and coffee machine.
Two bedrooms have been tucked into the upper floors, for privacy and the benefit of well-placed windows that look like idyllic cut-outs of sky and horizon. The double beds dressed in luxury linens are the reward for your effort of scaling the stairs. Both rooms come with en-suite bathrooms with modern fittings.
On the top floor is a terrace with a 360-degree view of the abbey and its cloisters, the fields of aromatic plants, untouched nature, and the animals that animate the green. A little table and chairs are set up in this open yet intimate space should you wish to dine or have sunset cocktails.
Additional information
The service at the Abbey of San Giusto is delightfully relaxed yet attentive. An organic, seasonal, homemade breakfast is served in the apartment every morning. Should you wish to have your dinner prepared by the abbey’s chef, just leave a message with the kitchen in the morning. WiFi is available.
You will need a car in order to get to the abbey and explore the surrounding areas, as the nearest town is four kilometers away.
While you may find yourself quite happy languishing in your tower, it is good to know that the abbey is open to exploration. Feel free to meander the halls and corridors, and common areas like the refectory, the gardens and fields. Dog lovers will be happy to know that there are three friendly and well-behaved four-legged friends on the property.
A note about stairs: True to its twelfth-century roots, a considerable scaling of stairs is required in this tower apartment set over four floors. For safety reasons, it is best to visit with children over 5 years old.
Around
The Abbey of San Giusto is surrounded by rivers, parks, churches, and ancient history, perfect for an excursion in nature and cultural discovery. The nearest town of Tuscania was an ancient Etruscan city of great wealth and importance, as attested by the tombs and necropolises left for our eyes today. Further outside of town sitting high on a hill are the superb churches of Santa Pietro and Santa Maria, a display of unrivalled masterworks of Romanesque architecture. And a little further still is the sea! The beautiful beaches of Tarquinia: “Le Saline” near the natural park Capalbio, Spiaggia del Chiarone Monte Argentario, La Feniglia, and La Giannella are just a few kilometers away.
Location
Tuscania, Italy, is one hour north of Rome. Nearest airport: Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport, Rome.
Best time to visit
March till October
The post La Torre San Giusto, Tuscany, Italy appeared first on Modern Vacation Home Rentals.