La Fornacina is a restored farmhouse and brick kiln located outside a medieval village in the Tuscan hills. One of the things that we love about La Fornacina, that first attracted us to it, is its peaceful, rustic setting. The house is situated above a valley running between two hill towns, with spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding fields, olive groves, and a large stretch of land kept w
ild as a truffle reserve. No neighboring houses can be seen from La Fornacina, adding to its secluded feel. You’ll want to enjoy your morning cappuccino on the sunny terrace just outside the entrance. The lovely garden—planted with herbs for the kitchen, flowers, grapes, olive trees, a hedge of bay—stretches over more than an acre. Feel free to sample the fruit when in season—particularly the strawberries and cherries. (Our olives are harvested by locals, who use them to produce some of the excellent olive oil available in town.) The nearby village of Castelmuzio offers a general store for everyday shopping, a charming bar/café where you can meet the local residents, and an excellent restaurant – all within a 20-minute walk of the house. Across the valley, the neighboring town of Montisi has a general store, hairdresser, café and small movie theatre, as well as another very good restaurant. During July and August, there are frequent village entertainments (including wonderful open air meals prepared by local families) where everyone is welcome. Activity peaks with the annual Festa of the Joust in the first week of August. There are year-round antique markets every weekend in the surrounding villages, and farmers markets are held regularly throughout the area. The larger town of Sinalunga (20 minutes away by car) features a full range of shopping and services, including an excellent supermarket, i Gelsi. The main entry is on the top floor, which contains the kitchen / dining room and a spacious living room with open fireplace. The open kitchen is filled with natural light, and comes equipped with a gas range/hob and oven, microwave, fridge/freezer and dishwasher. The lower level has two bedrooms: the first with a king-size bed and the second with two twin beds. The built-in couches in the living room can sleep another two. The house is tastefully furnished, with antique farmhouse furniture from the area. There are two bathrooms, a large, sumptuously appointed one on the lower floor, and a smaller one on the top floor. There is “on demand” hot water and full central heating, as well as a washing machine and dryer. Although its location in the beautiful Tuscan countryside feels secluded, La Fornacina is readily accessible; it’s a 40-minute drive from Siena, 90 minutes from Florence, and only 3 hours from Rome. The Autostrada (exit 28, Valdichiana) is about 20 minutes from the house. La Fornacina can also be reached by bus from the train station in nearby Sinalunga. Nearby points of interest include the Val D’Orcia; Pienza, where Zefferelli’s Romeo & Juliet was filmed; and the monastery of Sant’Anna in Camprena, which was featured inThe English Patient.
