A bright, sunny apartment in an ancient village on a hill between Villafranca and Bagnone. Newly restored with a panoramic terrace, french doors to a 'tinello' (a small lining room), a large kitchen/dining room, a beautiful new bathroom and two bedrooms upstairs.

There are magnificent views from the house and the terrace to the Apennines.

Steps lead up from the narrow cobbled street where all village life takes place. The single street leads to the castle at the head of the town. It is possible to drive to the door for unloading, and parking is available in the piazza.

The property is probably 13th century but has been recently restored throughout. The village has a small 'shop' that sells bread and milk in the morning, and there are a range of shops, bars and restaurants in Villafranca only 3 km away which also has a large swimming pool complex and a train station.
There are many lovely drives and walks into the hills where river pools for bathing may be found.


On an historical note, the village was a traditional resting place on the Via Francigena - the pilgrimage route from Canterbury to Rome, and the Archbishop of Canterbury stayed there in the 11th century.

Another interesting feature of the village is that it used to be known in the area as the 'village of the donkeys'. Strangers passing by down on the plain looked up and saw donkeys sticking their heads out of upper storey windows, and wondered how the villagers got them up the stairs.
In fact the town is built over a hill and the main street leads straight over the top, so the front doors, where they kept the animals, are at fourth floor level.

At Il Tinello you are in the heart of a lively Italian village, but can also sit peacefully on your terrace with a glass of wine looking out across the valley to the hills beyond.