Villa Menocchi - Stunning Tuscan Renaissance Villa

Description from the owner

Stunning Renaissance villa nested in Tuscan hillside 8kms from Lucca. Sleeps 20

Villa Menocchi is a luxurious and aristocratic villa extended over 1300 square metres. Dating back to the fifteen century, the property’s architectural style is a stunning example of the distinctive ‘Villa Lucchese‘ design, as classified and recorded in 1500 by Samminiati, a local architect of great renown.

Great care was taken during the last restoration work to preserve all its original design features such as the terracotta-tiled floors; hand-carved wooden beamed ceilings and the traditional downstairs ‘loggia‘ with its splendid arches, co...lumns, and frescos. Wherever possible, natural, eco-friendly, typical Tuscan building materials were used for both the structure and furnishings, including stonework, terracotta, marble, dark wood and hand-crafted wrought-iron. To complement the elegant, historical setting, Villa Menocchi has been furnished throughout with simple but high-quality antique furniture in a variety of traditional styles, featuring lovely natural wood and comfortable plush upholstery.

Villa Menocchi is laid out over three floors.

Ground floor

The ground floor has three double bedrooms and three bathrooms. Full of character, one bedroom was the original wine cellar while another was the former olive oil storage room. There are two spacious reception rooms on this level. One is 70 square metres and has a beautiful brick-vaulted/wood-beamed ceiling, while the other features a large central stone fireplace. The ground floor also has a very large rustic-style kitchen that is fully equipped for self-catering. It houses all the appliances needed for a relaxing holiday such as a dishwasher and an American style coffee machine. It even features an original yet perfectly working 16th century wood-burning oven which is perfect for pizza nights!!

First floor

The first floor accommodates the former aristocratic daytime-quarters. This includes a huge majestic living-room measuring 150 square metres! The enormous original stone fireplace stills stands here in pride of place. French doors open on to the beautiful ‘loggia‘, a porticoed terrace with a partially frescoed ceiling, that looks out over the olive groves and woods to the rear of the house. This loggia is one of the property’s most significant assets. It is undoubtedly the best spot to linger over an aperitif at sunset, to enjoy a leisurely meal al fresco, and to admire the spectacular views that the Tuscan hillside offers. Comfortably upholstered wicker chairs invite you to relax and unwind, while large, brightly planted terracotta tubs adorn the surroundings, from where a staircase leads down directly into the gardens. The first floor also houses the dining-room, a study and a service-bathroom. A further living space is provided by the charming tower-room, where the superb original fireplace and the terracotta-tiled/wood-beamed ceiling and wooden floors have been eye-catchingly retained.

Second floor

The second floor accommodates a vast elegant hall, whose high ceiling features terracotta tiling and wooden beams. Here again the massive old stone fireplace forms a focal point. Leading off this hall are six bedrooms each with their own private en-suite bathroom. Equipped with high quality comfortable mattresses and with hydro-massage tubs or Jacuzzi in most of the bathrooms our guests can enjoy complete relaxation. This floor also boosts spectacular unspoilt panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and you can admire the medieval towers of Lucca.

Garden & swimming pool

Villa Menocchi is set in extensive grounds, which includes a delightful olive grove, and as such offers a peaceful haven of retreat.

Screened by low shrubs, trees and exotic pot-plants, the jewel of the garden is an original Renaissance bath which has been transformed into a lovely pool for a refreshing dip on hot summer days. Here, sunbeds tempt you to take it easy between dips in the refreshing waters of the pool.

A second swimming pool that has been cut out of natural stone is hidden away in a secluded spot on a raised lawn terrace. This also has a wonderful, uninterrupted backdrop of wooded hills and the Lucca valley and is likewise screened by hedges, so that poolside sunbathers are guaranteed undisturbed privacy.

Tables and chairs underneath a pergola covered by a profusely rambling grapevine offers an alternative spot for alfresco dining. The mature grounds of Villa Menocchi provide the perfect setting for your memorable event such as a wedding, birthday celebration, private party etc.Read more

Additional Location Information

Villa Menocchi is a large, luxury, renaissance hillside villa overlooking the Lucca valley. While set in the countryside the villa is only 8 Kms or 10 minutes from the historical centre. Strolling or cycling along its many pedestrian streets you will find this city is rich in monuments, churches, picturesque squares, medieval palaces, museums, bars, restaurants, shops and boutiques.

Lucca is also the birthplace of the composer Giacomo Puccini, whose operas, La Bohème, Tosca and Madama Butterfly are among those frequently performed all over the world. The city is renowned to host a rich calendar of music events all over the year. Every year the 'Lucca Summer Festival' hosts an incredible line-up of international stars for live preformaces in Piazza Napoleone. These outdoor concerts held on a summer evening are an incredible experience. Past stars have included Anastacia, Lenny Kravitz, Moby etc. Lucca Comics and Games is an annual comic book and gaming convention. With around 140 thousand visitors, it offers an assorted mix of trade stalls, talks, screenings, workshops and exhibits. This international festival which lasts four to five days turns Lucca into a colourful amazing carnival with cosplay, music and a overall festive atmosphere.

For those of you who fancy spending a night or two in Lucca, L’Antica Bifore, our XIV century guesthouse located right in the heart of the historical medieval centre offers exclusive alternative accommodation. For further information please visit L’Antica Bifore Guesthouse

For beach lovers Villa Menocchi is ideally located. Viareggio is less than half an hour by car (36km). With its art deco seafront it offers many beautiful beaches for during the day while at night it has a range of entertainment from bars and restaurants to nightclubs. For nature lovers protected sand dunes in a national park can be found at Marina di Vecchiano further on up the coast.

The popular ski resort of Abetone is less than an hour's drive away. With all the usual facilities it is favoured as one of the best Italian family ski resorts. Typical season extends from December to April.

Open throughout the year Vicopelago Golf Club is a five minute drive from Villa Menocchi. With 4 target green for short game 25−50−75−100 metres, 9 hole putting green and pitching green with bunker.

Location Type Away from it all, Village

Rental fees

Additional notes from owner

Rental: Weekly is from Saturday to Saturday
Check in time is between 5:00 pm and 10:00 pm
Check out time is before 10:00 am
Prices include: Electricity, water, gas, and final cleaning of property.
Security Deposit: €1,000 (euros) payable in cash on arrival, which is held and returned to you at the end of your stay.

Smaller groups of up to 10 people welcome with up to 40% discount on advertised price.

Prices listed are standard prices. Contact us, Stefano and Brid, the owners, directly for the best deals and special offers you won't find elsewhere.

Payment Policy conditions
50% at booking by Bank Transfer or Credit Card
50% 90 days before arrival by Bank Transfer or Credit Card

Heating charged on amount consumed in Winter - costs €7 euros per cubic metre of gas- appr
Cancellation fee over the total amount will be applied:
from reservation to 90 days prior to arrival 50%
from 89 days to 0 hours prior to arrival 100%.

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