Casa AmoreBorgo Sogna, Ambra, Tuscany

Borgo Sogna is a hamlet, originally dating back to the 12th century, which lay abandoned for more than three decades until it was completely restored with intricate attention to detail by a renowned architect some 30 years ago.

Casa Amore, one of the twenty properties on this 12 hectare estate, is on two floors and measures approximately 88 m2. With two bedrooms and one bathroom it is beautifully restored and maintained by the current owners who purchased it in 2003.

One enters the property by means of external stone steps to the front door which opens on to the reception room with fireplace. The kitchen (with pietra serena counter-tops) and dining area are adjacent. A spiral staircase from the reception room leads to the second floor where there are two bedrooms and a bathroom. There is also a 'cantina' for storage.

The hamlet, which is 420 mt above sea-level, consists of several stone properties and is set on a gentle slope with the old church and ruins of a fortress at the top of the village. The various apartments, of which there are 20, share a tennis court, a sauna and an attractive swimming pool, the latter having been designed to fit into the natural shape of the landscape. A short drive from the towns of Ambra (4 kms) and Bucine (12 kms), with various services and bars/restaurants etc., and only 15 minutes from the motorway. Arezzo and Siena are both 35 kilometres and Florence 65. In addition, Montevarchi is the nearest train station and is about 23kms away. The fast train from there to Florence takes about 45 minutes.

The estate is surrounded by 12 hectares of land, mainly the wooded hills typical of the area, and there are 700 olive trees. Each property owner has a proportional share of the land. The condominium charge for this particular property is circa €2,000 pa and this includes the maintenance of the grounds, olive grove and common areas including the pool and tennis court.

Frances Mayes, from Bringing Tuscany Home, ©2004

'Sogna, instead, looks as if time rolled back, showing the village as it once was. No wires, no shiny bricks, no kitsch, no artificial landscaping. Here is the dignity of simplicity."

"Over the valley, down the Siena road, a right turn on to a white road, and then through pastoral countryside, we came on a most amazing sight; the Borgo Sogna, brought back from ruin. This idyllic village dosing in the sun ....."