About this property
If you are yearning for a uniquely characterful rustic retreat in surroundings of extraordinary natural beauty, then look no further. On a rocky spur in the Sibillini Mountains of central Italy, Lapis Turris is an ancient watchtower dating back to the 11th century, now converted into two comfortable apartments and just perfect for guests who want to share a holiday but retain some independence.
Fascinating original features have been restored and blend beautifully with modern additions - the stone walls surrounding you have so many stories to tell. The romantic ground floor apartment has living room and kitchen area leading out to a lush courtyard, like a natural balcony in the hillside. In the upper apartment, the fully equipped kitchen looks onto a sun filled terrace with breathtaking views of the small hilltop village and surrounding mountains.
It may be tempting to simply spend your days on the outside terrace or by the sparkling new pool, enjoying the magical mountain views or indulging yourselves with a glass of wine in the hot tub and remembering the travellers who passed through this dwelling over the centuries when life was less comfortable. Watch the sun set from your private amphitheatre, admire the outdoor art and sculpture and marvel at the starry night sky through the glass dome above as you drop off to sleep in the top floor bedroom.
When you decide to explore further afield, look out for the pretty medieval village a short drive away, visit the churches and palace's art gallery or head to Amandola with its fine restaurants featuring some of the area’s specialities of mushrooms, truffles and cheese. There are many hiking and mountain biking trails to be found in Monti Sibillini National Park, many of them near your holiday home.
Take a day trip to the elegant city of Ascoli Piceno with its medieval streets, photogenic piazzas, lovely churches and museums or head further afield to the fabulous beaches of the Adriatic coast. Wherever you go, you are sure to be pleased to return to the peace and tranquillity of your extraordinary Le Marche retreat.
Lapis Turris is to be found on a remote rocky spur in National Park of the Sibillini Mountains, in the midst of the most amazing landscapes. This is the province of Fermo in the Marche region of central eastern Italy.
Marche is known as a quieter “hidden gem” of Italy, embracing part of the stunning Adriatic coast across to the western borders of Tuscany and Umbria. There are medieval hilltop towns, charming tiny villages and swathes of vineyards and olive groves with so much art and history to be found along the way.
Look out for the pretty medieval village around 4km from Lapis Turris, on the slopes next to the river and surrounded by the majestic and magical mountains. Visit its churches, the palace's art gallery, small supermarket and bar before heading to the natural gorges formed by the river at Gola dell’Infernaccio and walk from here to the hidden waterfall and the hermitage of San Leonardo al Volubrio. One of the many historic sites in Marche is the nearby Sanctuary of the Madonna dell’Ambro, an important Marian place of worship decorated by some prestigious painters and sculptors over the centuries.
Amandola (9km) is a village in the river valley with fine restaurants featuring some of the area’s specialities of mushrooms, truffles and cheese. Further afield, the pretty Umbrian medieval town of Norcia (65km) also attracts foodies in search of pork, boar and more truffles.
The huge Monti Sibillini National Park stretches across both Marche and Umbria and there are numerous hiking and biking trails to be found here, many of them near your holiday retreat. Fishing, canoeing, horse riding and wine tasting tours are all accessible from your holiday home. At the foot of the mountains, San Ruffino Lake is a popular destination with a huge variety of wildlife.
When you are ready to take a break from your rural paradise, head to the elegant city of Ascoli Piceno (42km), on the borders of Marche and Abruzzo in a wonderful setting between mountains and the coastline. It has a historic centre, medieval streets, photogenic piazzas and many churches and museums. Visit one of its trendy bars and try out some much-loved olive all’ascolana.
For a taste of the Adriatic Sea, drive to one of the region’s most famous and lively seaside resorts, Abruzzo’s Alba Adriatica (79km) where there are some wonderful silver sanded beaches, clear crystalline waters and a palm lined promenade running parallel with a fabulous bike path.
Accommodation
Villa Interiors (250m2)
Apartment I (Ground Floor)
- Living room with sofa-bed
- Kitchen area with doors leading to a courtyard
- Bedroom with double bed and bathroom with shower
- Laundry room
Apartment II (Upper Floors, some sloping ceilings)
First Floor
- Entrance
- Living-dining room with doors leading to sun terrace
- Kitchen, well-equipped including dishwasher, oven, fridge-freezer, coffee maker
Second Floor
- Bedroom with double bed
- Bedroom with single bed
- Bathroom with shower
Third Floor
- Bedroom with double bed and star-gazing dome
- Bathroom with whirlpool bath and shower
Outside Grounds (4 hectares)
- Swimming pool (7m x 2.5m, depth: 1.4m), open approximately April to October
- 6-person hot tub (heated up to 32C)
- Sun terrace (off first floor apartment, low walls)
- Al-fresco dining area
- Barbecue
- Gardens
- Terraced levels
- Parking
Facilities
- Wi-Fi
- Heating
- Decorative fireplace
- TV (x3)
- Hot tub
- Toiletries
- Bathrobes and slippers
- Hairdryer
- Mosquito nets (some rooms)
- Washing machine and dryer
- Underfloor heating
Reviews (2)
-
Keily
Staying at Lapis Turris was a pleasure. If you can’t tell from the photos it’s an eleventh century watchtower nestled in the hills overlooking the Sibillini Mountains and the extremely picturesque village of Montefortino. It’s an easy ninety minute drive and if you’re lucky enough to do it in the summer make sure you do so with the top of the car down. Lapis Turris is set within acres of beautiful tiered gardens which means you have everything from a swimming pool and hot tub to your own amphitheatre. The changing days over the mountains are stunning and at night only do the stars come out brightly. The master bedroom on the top of the tower even has a ceiling that opens up you can lay back and watch bats fly loops between you and the milky way. It is, in every way, the dictionary definition of “romantic”. What makes the property so notable isn’t just the attention to detail and enormous effort that its owners have clearly put into it (this is a labour of love) but the hospitality of the owners themselves and the locals who are happy to welcome you into their Commune. Our concierge deserves the highest praise. He managed to organise for us cars and drivers whenever we needed it, multiple nights of a chef and waiter who were both excellent, a trip to a vineyard, a tour of Fermo which included a private visit to the local opera house, reservations at Michelin star restaurants, and even the hire of a private yacht! We spent two weeks there and had such a wonderful time and will never forget the people or mountains of Marche.
-
Keily
Staying at Lapis Turris was a pleasure. If you can’t tell from the photos it’s an eleventh century watchtower nestled in the hills overlooking the Sibillini Mountains and the extremely picturesque village of Montefortino. It’s an easy ninety minute drive and if you’re lucky enough to do it in the summer make sure you do so with the top of the car down. Lapis Turris is set within acres of beautiful tiered gardens which means you have everything from a swimming pool and hot tub to your own amphitheatre. The changing days over the mountains are stunning and at night only do the stars come out brightly. The master bedroom on the top of the tower even has a ceiling that opens up you can lay back and watch bats fly loops between you and the milky way. It is, in every way, the dictionary definition of “romantic”. What makes the property so notable isn’t just the attention to detail and enormous effort that its owners have clearly put into it (this is a labour of love) but the hospitality of the owners themselves and the locals who are happy to welcome you into their Commune. Our concierge deserves the highest praise. He managed to organise for us cars and drivers whenever we needed it, multiple nights of a chef and waiter who were both excellent, a trip to a vineyard, a tour of Fermo which included a private visit to the local opera house, reservations at Michelin star restaurants, and even the hire of a private yacht! We spent two weeks there and had such a wonderful time and will never forget the people or mountains of Marche.