A medieval hamlet set among olive, fruit and oak trees on the hills near Cortona has been turned into twenty-one beautiful, authentic homes available to purchase on a fractional ownership basis
Ringed by silvery olive groves, fruit trees and majestic oaks, a cluster of ancient stone houses shines golden under the Tuscan sun. Gentle, sinuous hills hug the hamlet’s old walls and cobbled streets in a peaceful embrace. The only sounds are the chirruping of birds and the gentle rustling of leaves in the breeze.
Time seems to have frozen into an idyllic medieval arcadia at the 14th-century Borgo di Vagli, near Cortona. But the magic of the place has only just been revived after passionate, painstaking restoration work turned the once derelict Borgo into twenty-one perfect little homes.
It took Italian engineer Fulvio di Rosa ten years to complete the project because he was determined to remain true to the original architecture and the spirit of Vagli.
Six-hundred-year old doorways open onto halls paved with old terracotta tiles under beamed ceilings. The living room bathes in the soft light seeping in from the small original windows. A large fireplace takes pride of place in one corner, while in another, old wooden stairs lead up to an elegantly austere bedroom furnished with Tuscan antiques. Every little detail is perfect—hand-made cutlery in the kitchen, traditional furnishings in the living room and, throughout, precious Busatti linen, woven on centuries-old looms according to an old method.
Kitchens and bathrooms are havens of rustic luxury, rigorously furnished in Tuscan style but designed to meet the very contemporary needs of demanding buyers. And high-speed Internet connection and satellite TV have been subtly blended in with the traditional décor.
But perhaps best of all are the terraces and wisteria-clad patios that frame views of the 10th-century Castello di Pierle and the mellow Tuscan countryside around it.
Properties at Borgo di Vagli have one or two bedrooms and are all available on a fractional ownership basis. Buyers become beneficiaries of an international trust which owns title to the residences in perpetuity. They have flexible access to all residences in their category (one or two bedrooms) and book their usage period once a year in November, but can also reserve short-notice holidays throughout the year (subject to availability). They can take guests along, or have them stay at a residence unaccompanied during their planned usage period.
The Borgo, which offers up to ten fractional ownerships for each residence, is fully managed, providing anything from concierge service to pre-arrival grocery shopping. Prices go from €63,000 for a one-bedroom residence to €96,000 for a two-bedroom one, plus an annual management fee.
For further information contact Borgo di Vagli at +39 0575 619 660, www.clubborgodivagli.com.
