The beauty of this Abbey lies in its ancient origins, dating back to Etruscan times. About a hundred years ago, ancient underground caves were discovered beneath the villa on the south-facing slope.
During the Middle Ages, a five-story tower was built, which still forms an integral part of the property today. Later, a monastery was erected around the villa and was maintained by the Grey Friars until the mid-18th century. In the following two centuries, the remaining structures – including churches and chapels – were used by the farmers working for the noble Bracci Testasecca family, who owned the estate at the time.
One of the three main churches belonging to the former monastery was “Santa Maria della Concezione”, the name now associated with the entire estate, which has become a refined residence. The church was destroyed during World War II and rebuilt in 1945 by the previous owners, using the original stones.
Today, the villa is surrounded by six hectares of land, which include an ancient Etruscan fountain still used for irrigation and a spectacular panoramic view. The property is composed of three distinct units: the main villa, the tower (connected to the villa via the current lemon house), and a separate guesthouse.
The guesthouse consists of one bedroom, a living room with kitchen, and a storage room. The tower and villa are spread over two floors and include a total of four kitchens, seven bathrooms, seven bedrooms, six living rooms, two storage areas, and a sauna. On the second floor, there is a stunning panoramic terrace overlooking the Umbrian hills.
Outdoors, the property offers a stylish 20 x 3 meter pool with parquet decking and a shower, a garage, and a parking area with five spaces. A beautiful fountain by William Pike lies on a gentle slope at the entrance, while wonderful sculptures decorate the surrounding area.
The lemon house, currently used as an elegant private winter garden, is accessible from the main road and is one of the most charming spaces in the residence. The 360° panoramic view stretches as far as the Apennines, offering absolute silence and unspoiled nature – the perfect setting for pure relaxation.
The location is ideal: the motorway is only 20 minutes away, while the art cities of Siena, Florence, and Rome can all be reached in about an hour. The nearest towns (4 km) are Castel Giorgio – founded by the nephew of Pope Giorgio – and the Castle of Viscardo, where you will find a bakery, butcher, grocery store, and a bar.
The main cultural attraction in the area is the Etruscan city of Orvieto, just 15 km away, with its magnificent cathedral. One of Italy’s cleanest lakes, Lake Bolsena, lies just beyond the nearby ridges (20 km), and the sea is reachable within an hour.
The property was renovated in the late 1970s by the famous architect Melchiorre Bega, who preserved its historic charm while enhancing every detail with masterful elegance.