L'Arco - Rome 1 hour 15 mins, Spoleto 20 mins  

Description from the owner

Our large private pool is available for your use at any time, free of charge. It is a spectacularly beautiful 20 miles drive to the pool, at Villa Marianna, one of our country villas, where we offer speciality lunches...truffle, pasta and pizza dishes, made from our fresh, home-grown produce, subject to demand. And, every Wed, we are offering a tiny farmer's market at Villa Marianna, where our home-grown produce will be on sale...or, you can pick your own from the fields !And, while Villa Marianna is quite a distance from L'Arco, please note that Villa Marianna is just 7 miles above the historic centre of Spoleto. So, you could stroll round S...poleto in the morning, 12 miles from Il Castello, have lunch, possibly at the beautiful Villa Marianna or at one of the many restaurants in Spoleto, then, frolic or doze around the pool - a great day out !

In 10C San Mamiliano, the oldest inhabited village in Umbria, walled and picture post perfect, totally restored, is our 1 bedroom apartment, L'Arco.

At the bottom of a tiny, arched and cobbled lane, L'Arco is a 3 roomed apartment. I room is the large bed sitting room containing a double bed, a wardrobe, 2 sofas, a couple of coffee tables and a SAT TV. The 2nd room is the fully fitted kitchen/diner that seats 4. And, the 3rd room is the bathroom with a half-tub and a hand held shower.

This is a very cute apartment and was our home for many years after we moved out of our 4 bedroom house, Il Castello, next door, because it was too big for just the 2 of us. The entrances to both are on different streets so there is no compromising on privacy.

There are panoramic mountain views from all its windows. And, its front door opens directly from the kitchen into a very pretty patio/garden area - seats 4, which looks up through an arch into the main street.

Everywhere inside the walls is pedestrian.

There are 3 piazzas, all with their own stunning views.

The 1st piazza is outside the walls and is used as a car-park, just 2 minutes walk from Il Castello and L'Arco. It overlooks the Apennines.....mountains and valleys as far as the eye can see.

The 2nd piazza is in the middle of the village, just a couple of minutes walk further up from Il Castello and L'Arco and is stunning with three 9C newly discovered vicoli (tiny arched lanes) leading to the church in the 3rd piazza. This piazza is a sight to behold, architecture like this is is unknown by most people, like something out of a dream !

The 3rd piazza is at the top of the village, also reached by stone steps, and is another truly amazing space. Here, you can sun-bathe or just sit and gaze at the breath-taking views. A wonderful space for total tranquility......gazing down over the rood-tops of the village, listening to the tinkling bells of sheep and cows as they graze in the mountains all about you......the azure blue skies, the hot sun......it doesn't get better than this !Read more

Additional Location Information

While L'Arco could be described as "away from it all", it is NOT remote. Indeed, it is the perfect location to base oneself in order to see the rest of Italy, it being located just left of the very centre of Italy, between Terni and Spoleto, and just above Ferentillo. It takes about 20 minutes to drive to the nearest train stations, either Spoleto or Terni, from where you can get to just about anywhere in Italy.

A car is essential since, while San Mamiliano is central to all the Umbrian hot-spots and close to all the local amenities, (unlike so many of these Umbrian hill-top villages that are without local amenities, remote and from where it takes forever to get anywhere whatsoever), and, there are good roads into San Mamiliano, the local bus, historically, has never gone to the village – probably because, until recently, there were no roads, only boulders marking mule tracks up to the village !

San Mamiliano was originally a fortress/castle built by the Vatican around the 10C to protect its boundary with Perugia. In the middle ages, the Pope would stay in San Mamiliano on his way to Rome. Over the years, San Mamiliano developed into a bustling and fairly large community, housing some 300 people. Now, it houses only 5 of its original families, the rest of the San Mamilianese having died or moved into the towns and cities in search of work. Consequently, it is too small to sustain a shop, a bar or an eaterie, though there are plenty of the latter in the surrounding hills.

San Mamiliano has been part of a very exciting restoration project because of its historic interest. In fact, during the restoration, two 9C tiny, arched alley ways were discovered that lead from the middle piazza to the upper piazza and the church. They had been buried for many, many centuries and completely forgotten about !

But, not so, the famous painting inside our church. The Bishop of Spoleto paid San Mamiliano a visit a few years ago. The red carpet was laid, along with all the pomp and ceremony that befits a bishop. However, the San Mamilianese were not so happy after the event because it transpired that the reason for his visit was to try to persuade the San Mamilianese to give him this picture for the Duomo in Spoleto, which houses another 3 paintings by the same artist, his argument being that this famous work of Art was being neglected in San Mamiliano. Well, you can imagine the indignation on the part of the villagers. It was here that this picture was painted and it is here it will stay. You should pay for it to be restored and maintained here in San Mamiliano, they argued to the Bishop. We are still waiting for his response !

The arrival of supermarkets in the nearby towns and cities is a sure sign that things are developing in Umbria. : a few years ago, we were connected to mains water and gas. Before then, we were dependent on an underground stream for water and wood for heat. However, in spite of the availability of gas, wood remains the local Italian’s major source of heat and since most local Italians still prefer to cook on the fire, wood is essential for this purpose too. Until recently, only one made up road led to our village. There were also two white roads (roads made entirely of stones). Fortunately, a few years ago, both these roads were rebuilt also as proper roads. As a result, we have a far wider access by car to our neighbouring villages. Indeed, our villagers remember the time before the roads, not so many years ago, when they were forced to make their way on foot or horseback by way of tracks marked out by boulders. There is still no public transport to the village so a car is absolutely essential. Or a mule or an Api are forms of transport some of our villagers still favour !

The few remaining San Mamilianese have retained their traditional way of life as land-owning farmers producing wine, olive-oil, tomatoes and various fruits for local shops and providing the local eateries with fresh truffles. The land around San Mamiliano is wooded much of the year and the huge logs are brought down the mountains by packs of mules and delivered to all the neighbouring villages. All these activities are to be evidenced throughout the year and make for extremely picturesque viewing. However, if you were to offer to help chop the wood, pick the olives or the grapes, be sure you mean it as your offer will be enthusiastically seized upon ! As yet, we have always preferred to watch ! And, the San Mamilianese are extremely hospitable so do not be surprised if you are invited to share a dish of ciriole with them (a thick type of spaghetti made of flour and water) or to join them for a glass of grappa, especially in the morning when it will be added to your espresso !

Cultural activities abound. Amongst the most prestigious is the International Spoleto Festival which attracts world-famous musicians, dancers and celebrity guests (3 wks June/July). In fact, Prince Charles was reported in our local press to have bought a villa nearby having claimed that Spoleto was one of his favourite places in the world. Less famous, but extremely spectacular, nonetheless, is the festival devoted to St. Valentine which takes place in his actual birth place of Terni (Ist wk Feb) and involves a vast diversity of musical events, carnivals, fancy dress and wine-tastings.

There are many other big festas, too, ranging from the slightly less prestigious, but still spectacular, festival at Todi (the unofficial rival to Spoleto), the specialist Flower festival at San Gemini, the Water festival at Piediluco (all close by), our own commune historic Pageant, involving 400 volunteers and showing life in Ferentillo over the last 1000 years…..to the hundreds of more modest, commune sponsored festas where you can dance, eat and drink all night and it will cost you virtually nothing. And, for those of you who are musical, there are always concerts, master classes etc on in Terni, Spoleto and the smaller places such as Bevagnia and Montefalcoo. All this information can be got from local tourist offices once you are here.

Nearby is the plain of Rieti. In this area are to be found the original worship places, in tiny monasteries dotted around, of St Francis who lived in this area, when he first left his privileged existence in Rome to spread a less conventional Roman Catholicism in the rural areas of Umbria, before settling in Asissi. Some of his churches are to be found outdoors, simple assemblies of wooden benches and an alter beneath the trees.

Around San Mamiliano, in the woods and olive groves, there is a diversity of wild-life: foxes, black squirrels, wild boar, porcupine etc. and many different species of birds, including nightingales. Occasionally, especially at night or of an early misty morning, these animals can be spotted on the roads leading to the village.

This area is to be most appreciated by those who love tranquillity, walking in woods and mountains and enjoying the spectacular scenery which looks across at the Apennines and over the surrounding valleys but who do not wish to be isolated. It is off the main tourist routes, relatively undiscovered and, therefore, it is unusual to see other visitors in the immediate surroundings. Yet, we have easy access to all the main attractions : Assisi, Perugia and Rome (about 60-90 mins by car), places like Sploleto, Todi and Piediluco being relatively close by.

Local shops and many trattorias are all within minutes to half an hour by car down the mountain. Eating out in the summer months is highly recommended. It would be difficult to pay more than 20 euros for a 3 course meal with as much wine as you can drink in the local eateries. Eating al fresco on a warm evening with the sun setting behind mountains silhouetted against a pink-streaked, azure blue sky takes some beating. Then there is the Piediluco lake which was famously painted by that great impressionist, Turner. Here, also, there are many bars and restaurants.

Our local and very beautiful pool, (5 mins by car), is set in the mountains and is first class with a bar and all the usual amenities, and includes tennis courts. The entry fee is about 5 euros. There are many other pools and tennis courts in the area. Indeed, for the serious swimmer, there is an Olympic sized pool next to Piediluco lake. On the lake itself, there are all the usual boating facilities (though speed-boats are not allowed) and sun-bathing areas. Riding stables are close by and, day-long pony treks can be arranged across the mountains at special rates. At nearby Marmore Falls, the largest in Europe, there is white-water rafting. And, rock-climbing and hang-gliding are on offer in the hills.

L'Arco, in this fairy-tale, hill-top, walled village of San Mamiliano, nestles just below the snow-line and often above the clouds, with the sweep of deep valleys rising to mountain peaks, silhouetted against brilliant blue skies, are perfect for those who wish to experience tranquillity and savour the atmosphere of a bygone era in a relatively unspoilt and beautiful part of the world, without feeling isolated.

FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE LOCATION OF SAN MAMILIANO
Our exact location is the middle of Italy - just slightly to the left ie our nearest ocean is the Adreatic. We're in the Appenines. By car and driving normally, it takes 25 mins to Spoleto, 90 mins to Rome, 45 mins to Asissi, 70 mins to Perugia, 2 hrs 30 mins to Florence (depending on traffic), 3 hrs 30 mins to Naples (also depending on traffic), the Amalfi coast and Pompei. Castellucia, the famous Gran Piano (with fantastic natural flower displays across this gigantic plain around about Easter) is just over 1 hour away. On the way to Castellucia is Norcia, which is worth a visit and where most of our white truffle is to be found (our area is abundant with black truffle all the year round - consequently, it's cheap to dine out on truffle, one of my favourite dishes, at around 10 euros for a bowl of ciriole al tartufo !). However, all around us, ie within a 30 min drive, are an abundance of small towns eg Todi and Spello which are all equally beautiful and fascinating. Benigni (the Oscar winning film-maker of Life is Beautiful and Piccochio) stays nearby in Coliscipoli while working on the film studios in which both these films were produced. And, of course, it is the countryside all round here that features in both these films.

This is also the St Francis area and there are numerous monasteries round about, where he has stayed, within a 30 min radius - although you'd have to research as to where they are since I've only visited 2 or 3 on foot via mountain roads and I was led there by friends but, while I could only tell you how to get to 1 of them in Greccio, I know that others are reachable by car. Actually, there is a map at Greccio which shows how to get to 5 or 6 others by car or on foot. In all of the numerous churches, to be found in every tiny hill-top village as well as every town and city, there are frescos, most of which have been restored. Our own church houses one of the 4 most important paintings in Umbria, which the Bishop of Spoleto is currently trying to "pinch" but, alas, it is being neglected (which is his argument for taking it to join the others in the Spoleto duomo) and the frescos have remained unrestored - I suppose, it was decided to put the money into doing up the village instead. Most of the other villages with beautifully restored churches have been left to just totally crumble.

Most of the places further than 1 hour by car can be quicker to get to by train and it can be a lot less hassly eg taking a car into Rome or Naples would not be everyone's first preference and our local train station provides an excellent and regular service to almost everywhere you'd wish to go. Places like Asissi, however, are not that far and never really get that busy so that's a place where it's best to take the car.

Location Type Mountain, Rural, Village

Additional notes from owner

DISCOUNTED OFFER !!

5% discount off the 2nd week of a 2 week booking OR a 15% discount off the 3rd week of a 3 week booking OR a 25% discount off the 4th week of a 4 week booking.

For bookings longer than 4 weeks, each subsequent week attracts a discount of 5%.

Please click on link to my personal website - after "Managed by Owner", click on Learn More", which also shows details and photos of 30 + other apartments and villas in and around central Spoleto. Or ask me to send you the link.

An extra tariff is charged over the Christmas period - see Booking Information for details that also contains info re attracting discounts and the cancellation conditions.

The rate includes up to 2 persons.

Beware of owners who ask you to pay for heating separately. Often you'll end up paying as much as you're paying in rent .

Bookings that include Christmas Day or New Years Day should have neither as their arrival day.

Flexible arrival and departure days.

What Past Guests Are Saying

Overall Rating

• Helle & Finn
  Hørning, Denmark

  L'Arco in March

  Left on 04/08/2013 for a stay in March 2013
  
  

  Even though our GPS refused to ackowledge that we had arrived in San Mamiliano we recognised the village from the website. It was a dark and cold night so we enjoyed the warm welcome by Gail. We really appreciated the welcome package with pasta wine, bread etc. L'Arco was nice and cosy - and warm! Thanks a lot Laurie and Norma for your kind hospitality and the invitation to coffee in Spoleto the day after our arrival. It was a wonderful introduction to Spoleto and the area. It was a pleasure meeting you - we could have talked for hours! The location is perfect - there is a lot to see in the area: Perugia, Assisi, the mountains and Spoleto. And Rome is just an hour away by train from Terni. We would love to return another time. Kind regards Helle & Finn (Denmark)

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  Recommended for: Romantic

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• Diane and Richard
  Bancroft Canada

  Paradise Found!

  Left on 06/05/2011 for a stay in May 2011
  
  

  We were travelling around Italy by car and booked a week at L'Arco as a base for some day trips. I consider ourselves extremely fortunate to have found such a place and we would return here in a heartbeat. San Mamiliano is the most picturesque place you will ever see,the villagers are wonderful (brush up on your Italian) and the apartment is exactly as the pictures state. Our view from the windows to the far mountains and the valley below kept us constantly enthralled. Every convenience was available to us at L'Arco and the welcome wine, cheese and pasta in the kitchen made a lovely first meal. We do not hesitate to recommend this small corner of heaven, and we were quite sad to leave. Next time we need to stay longer.

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• Sw Myrtle Beach
  USA

  Beautiful location

  Left on 04/26/2011 for a stay in April 2011
  
  

  We had a lovely stay at L'Arco.The shower was a bit odd and it might get noisy if you have neighbors above, but the rest was nice and comfy for a couple.Our hosts were charming and informative and the location can't be beat!

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• Fraser
  Bristol, UK

  Peaceful base for exploring Umbria

  Left on 10/07/2010 for a stay in June 2010
  
  

  The flat was very well presented and the welcome food and wine were very much appreciated when we arrived. San Mamiliano is a very pretty hill village with fantastic views. It is a great location from which to tour the region by car or alternatively just to kick back and relax in quiet and beautiful surroundings.

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• Sean Monahan
  Pert, Western Australia

  Great holiday rental. Great place. Great owners.

  Left on 10/01/2010 for a stay in May 2010
  
  

  The best rental by far on our six week Italian holiday. Small but beautifully organized and great for a couple. You can tell the owners lived here themselves initially - it had the feel of a 'real'house not just a holiday rental. Its setting in just the kind of small walled hilltop village that we were so enjoying visiting in our tourist forays each day was a bonus. And the welcome basket of wine and food that greeted us on arrival was sumptuous - far bettert than any other rental we have been in. Nothing but good things to say of L'Arco and it's owners. It was one of the nicest holiday rentals we have ever had - anywhere!

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