Beautifully restored stone farmhouse with pool, situated in the hills between Lucca and Florence.

Casale Castano is a 200-year old traditional stone-built Tuscan farmhouse set in almost 8,000 sqm of terraced forest in the Appenino Modenese mountains. The stone farmhouse (460 sqm) has views to the pretty market town of San Marcello Piteglio where there is a good selection of restaurants and shops. This wonderful mountainside retreat enjoys perfect peace and tranquility yet has access to shops and restaurants within a 10-15 minutes drive.

Superbly restored by the current owners in keeping with the Tuscan style, the restoration combines contemporary finishes with a simple rustic feel. The house is at a height of approx 900 m above sea level, in some of the most beautiful mountain forest, with considerable attractions for walking in summer, as well as being close to the Appennine ski resort of Abetone for winter sports.

The property is accessed from a well paved country lane and has ample parking. There is tree-sheltered hard standing for 3-4 cars.

The entrance on the ground floor leads to a spacious hall, then to a large living/dining room with beamed ceilings and terracotta floors, impressive stone fireplace with wood burning stove, through to a fully fitted kitchen handmade in local chestnut wood. This level also has a large bathroom (bath and shower) and an ample store room. A few steps down lead to two double bedrooms which open directly onto the garden.

Through the entrance hall and lockable double doors, are the stairs to the first floor and halfway up the stairs is a mezzanine level shower/WC in an open wet-room.

At the top of the stairs there is a hall area, which leads to three double bedrooms, one with an attached study/further bedroom and there is a bathroom with shower. The beamed open-plan living room is exceptionally spacious (8m x 9m) with a fully fitted kitchen, dining area and sitting/TV area with wood burning stove. This room has windows on three sides and double doors leading out to a covered terrace, then to the fenced swimming pool and deck area, with stunning views directly down the mountain. This level, too, has independent external access so is self-contained.

The house has benefitted from a major extension and refurbishment project 6/7 years ago, with exceptional attention to detail. The fittings and furnishings are of excellent quality and the upstairs and downstairs kitchens are built-in with chestnut wood cupboards and stone work surfaces.

The extensive programme of works included:
- Converted the original ground floor stables into the bathroom and 2 bedrooms
- Replaced all the old plumbing and electrical services; provided 2 new Buderus LPG gas condensation boilers to give dedicated heating and hot water to both floors,with underfloor heating on the ground floor and large traditional radiators on the first floor
-  Re-roofed the house with modern insulation and internal terracotta tiling and beamed ceilings at full roof height
-  Re-floored in traditional terracotta tiling
- Replaced all kitchen, bathroom, shower and WC fittings with very high quality blend of modern and recovered baths, sinks, basins, ovens, hobs, etc all set in handmade natural chestnut units
-  Replaced external and internal doors, windows and shutters with improved security fittings
-  New biodisc septic tank system
-  Rainwater harvesting system
-  Fully re-lined swimming pool with new technical equipment; also extended deck and safety fencing of pool area
- Covered dining terrace and creation of a large sun terrace
-  Underground LPG tank·        

The ground floor and first floor can be run independently with full facilities and systems on both floors. The two floors can be accessed and secured separately as discrete apartments, if required. The whole house offers substantial accommodation for families or for rental income. The house is fully equipped and furnished (available as a separate negotiation if required) and has existing local arrangements for maintenance and cleaning/laundry services.

The land of around 8,000 sqm is mainly woodland, with fabulous hillside views. The grounds are well landscaped, with lawns and there is a good fenced pool.

The house is very well located close to Bagni di Lucca, a spa town. In the nineteenth century Bagni di Lucca became an exclusive retreat for Europe’s nobility and and visitors will find that the spas are still active today. The nearby Canyon Adventure Park offers canyoning, rafting, zip wiring and yoga. Also within striking distance is the ski resort of Abetone, with the newly opened Val di Luce Spa 4* Resort (where day packages to the spa are available). The cultural and art centres of Lucca and Florence and the smaller scale Pietrasanta are easy to reach and provide excellent day trips. It is also easy to spend a day enjoying the beach resorts of Viareggio and upmarket Forte dei Marmi and boat trips along the beautiful coastline. Pisa, with airport, is only just over an hour away.

Bagni di Lucca 17 kms, Abetone (skiing) 20 kms, Pistoia 35 kms, Lucca 45 kms, Beaches 65 kms, Pisa (airport) 70 kms, Florence 75 kms.