Casa Celestiale is our Umbrian home. It has 17th century origins as a farmhouse within the lands of the local Della Porta family.
The search for the perfect place took years. We fall more in love as it continues to reveal its mysteries to us all year round - orchids and Carpini bloom in spring, wild flowers all year and delicious figs of summer, the russet colours of oaks in autumn, crisp frosts and beautiful stillness of winter. The house is surrounded by woods, farmland and national park and you are likely to see wild boar, hares, badgers, porcupines, and even wolves on the white road as you drive home from dinner in one of the local restaurants. The night sky is amazing - this is one of the best places in Italy for astronomy (the University of Perugia used to have an observatory in the valley) and you will see the Milky Way like a 4 lane motorway across the sky - hence Celestiale - literally heavenly.
We carefully restored the house over 3 years, adding the south facing wing with a self contained double ensuite bedroom with views over the valley, in the garden, new terracing down to the dark infinity pool and installed pool house with fireplace, kitchen and sauna. Local materials have been used throughout; cotto floors and wall tiles made by local artisans in Montone, traditional style chestnut wood doors and windows built by craftsmen in Umbertide, the bathroom & kitchen surfaces in Italian marble and stones.
We have holidayed in Italy for 30 years from the Dolomites to Puglia and the Sorrento coast, but Umbria, the green heart of Italy, has always held a special appeal for us. Centrally located, close enough to Florence to enjoy a day trip to the Uffizi but sufficiently far from the crowds to find hidden gems in every sphere - nature, art, restaurants, whatever your interest. Above all, the people of Umbria are truly special and welcoming, proud of their regional traditions and food.