1 bedroom apartment, 200 m²

Cetona, Siena (province)

Brick-vaulted ceilings, cellars hewn out of tuff and an art gallery in the heart of a village between Val d’Orcia and Val di Chiana Ref. CET476 In the historic centre of Cetona, one of the most intimate villages in southern Tuscany, this property combines a seven-room house with a spacious vaulted area currently used as an art gallery and workshop, beneath which lies a remarkable system of cellars carved into the tuff. It is a house to be experienced in layers, from the light-filled rooms overlooking the greenery to the dimly lit caves, where time seems to have stood still. The entrance and the gallery A wooden door framed by stone leads into the reception areas. The gallery, measuring approximately 145 square metres according to the land registry, consists of a succession of rooms featuring brick barrel and cross vaults, arches, exposed beams and terracotta staircases connecting the various levels. A stone staircase leads to an arched doorway with an antique carved door, whilst white walls and brick ceilings provide a natural backdrop for exhibitions, studios or creative workspaces. The tuff cellars As you descend, the character of the property changes completely. You enter a series of tunnels and caves carved out of the tuff rock, featuring niches, iron gates and ancient masonry wine vats, bearing witness to the life of the village in centuries past. These are rare, highly evocative spaces, ideally suited to becoming a wine cellar, tasting room or an extraordinary exhibition space. The living area The residential area centres around a bright living room with French windows opening onto small balconies overlooking the greenery and cypress trees, an unexpected surprise in the heart of the village. The kitchen-diner features wooden furniture and travertine worktops. Next come sitting rooms and studies beneath brick vaults, a spacious and light-filled double bedroom with a window overlooking the garden below, and a large bathroom with a barrel vault and a spa bath, together with two further WCs, a walk-in wardrobe and a storage room. Condition and potential The building, with load-bearing walls of stone and brick and vaulted ceilings, is in fair condition: the renovation carried out in the early 1990s renewed the plumbing, heating and electrical systems, whilst the finishes now call for updating. The property is listed and protected as cultural heritage, and its planning and land registry compliance is certified by a technical report. The combination of living space, gallery and cellars makes it ideal for those seeking an artist’s home, a residence with creative or commercial activities on the ground floor, or a hospitality venture in the historic centre. Location Cetona lies at the foot of the mountain of the same name, a short distance from Chiusi, the spa towns of San Casciano dei Bagni and Chianciano, Montepulciano and the Val d’Orcia. The motorway exit and Chiusi railway station provide easy access to Rome and Florence. Shops, restaurants and amenities are just a short walk away, in the square and along the streets of the village, and a shared courtyard offers parking spaces. Price Price on request.