The Property
This historic building was originally built to house 21 monks and could now easily accommodate this number or more. The entire building is centred around the arcaded cloister while behind the building is the olive grove (circa 2 acres, 90 productive trees) with two large cellars carved into the hillside.
Two long workshops run along the back of the monastery and at right angles to these there is a large roofless barn (9m x 30m), ripe for restoration. Plans have been drawn up for the partial restoration of the church walls creating a further courtyard.
The brothers originally slept in first floor cells (3.4 x 3.4 originally but these now vary). There are also 4 larger rooms for visiting monks, a former library (3m x 20m) which looks down into the cloister.
On the ground floor there is a large kitchen (5.5m x 6.5m formerly the sacristy). Off which is a scullery and a service room, which was the base of the old campanile.
Next to the kitchen is the dining room (5.5 x 6.5) formerly the eating room for monastic guests. Beyond that is the main refectory, now the drawing room (5.5 x 9.3), heated by a large ceramic stove. Next to the drawing room is the main entrance hall (5.5 x 5.5) leading to the terrace, the cloister and the library (formerly the Caldarium - a room to keep warm in) and which is 5.5m x 5.5m.
Also on the ground floor is an enfilade of rooms, formerly for female guests There is also another smaller kitchen and several lavatories, one of which has disabled facilities. There is also a southfacing vaulted garden room (formerly a chapel). Two long workshops reached through the cloister run along the back ot the building
All these rooms have high vaulted ceilings and many look onto the wide terrace beyond which is the walled garden.
The first floor has 16 cells, four larger bedrooms and well as a master bedroom, which was the apothecary and night choir (6m x 7m) which enjoys a splendid view over the Maremma and the sea. The master bedroom also contains a bathroom and small terrace. A much larger loggia runs along one side of the cloister. On this floor there are all together 3 bathrooms, a shower room, a separate lavatory and five cells have hand basins.
History
The monastery was built between 1621 and 1640 for the Augustiniani Scalzi on the orders of Cristina di Lorena, Grand Duchess of Tuscany, in honour of the venerable Padre Giovanni who she hoped would be beatified.
In 1969 the property was purchased by its current owner who restored the building, as far as was possible, to its original state. Reroofing and revaulting the upstairs corridors as well as installing mains water and electricity. In 1974 he founded the Batignano Opera festival, which ran until 2004.
The Monastary is registered as a national monument by the Belle Arte (Fine Arts Commission), it means the main parts of the building cannot be radically altered but it brings tax advantages and does not affect local planning decisions such as building a swimming pool.
Services
There are 2 telephone lines, drainage is through a sceptic tank and there is a large water cistern (5m circumferance and 11m deep = 55 cubic metres). which collects rain water and up until 1976 provided drinking water (after which mains water was installed). No CH although the Cheese room, below the dining room, has been identified as a suitable location for a boiler and solar panels are a viable option.
The property was reroofed 40 years ago but tiles need periodic replacing and the bitumen underfelt is spead out only in parts. Some parts of the building do not have electricity and the current wiring needs upgrading.
Viewing
All viewing is strictly
by appointment through La Vecchia Toscana Properties Ltd.
Important Notice
1. These particulars
are for guidance only. They are prepared and issued in good
faith and intended to give a fair description of the property.
2. Any description or information given should not be relied
on as a statement or representation of fact or that the property
or its services are in good condition.
3. The photographs show only certain parts of the property at
the time they were taken. Any areas, measurements or distances
given are approximate only.
4. Any reference to alterations to, or use of, any part of the
property is not a statement that any necessary planning, building
regulations, or other consents have been obtained. These matters
must be verified by any intending purchaser. |
