Villa FontanaCortona, Arezzo, Tuscany

The dominant 18th century facade and stunning oval lake greet you at the end of the cypress driveway. Quite simply the kind of property that takes your breath away, not just the first time you see it, but every time you drive through the gates. The property most likely has Etruscan origins, but was the site of an important summer mansion in the 16th century, when it was sold by the Alfieri family to the current owner's ancestors. The family used the property until around 1760, at which point they began extensive construction works, incorporating the original 16th century mansion into the beautiful, stucco fronted 18th century villa that can be seen today. Located just outside the town of Cortona, you enter the property through impressive gates, dated 1777 with the family crest, and drive up the cypress lined driveway towards the house. The drive circles round the oval lake in front of the house; a late 18th century addition with central fountain. The villa is a striking example of the architecture of the period, with simple symmetry in the building and the gardens. To one side of the villa is a 150m2 limonaia. The limonaia is used throughout the summer months for weddings and other functions, whilst in the winter months it reprises its original role as storage for the many potted lemon and fruit trees around the gardens. The property has a long standing history with botanical societies and as such there are stunning examples of trees and plants that will have been planted over the centuries. The main door takes you into the grand entrance hall, with doorways in each corner going to various points of the house. The interior of the house is as one would expect of an 18th Tuscan villa, with beautifully smooth old terracotta flooring, high frescoed ceilings, grand rooms and an overall feeling of timeless elegance. The extensive accommodation is set over three floors, with a windowed tower section on the fourth that offers wonderful views over the lake and the estate at the front of the main house. The first floor Piano Nobile boasts magnificent formal reception halls.