la Rocca Buitoni

The exclusive La Rocca Buitoni, located in the hilltop village of Paciano on the Umbrian - Tuscan border, can sleep a total of 6 to 12 people in 6 bedrooms. The house dates back to the 15th century and features a defence tower, vaulted ceilings, its private chapel with 17th century frescos, and endless views across the Umbrian border into Tuscany. It is furnished with first class antiques, renaissance paintings and Persian carpets.

Amenities:

6 Double Beds |4 Bathrooms|TV|Radio|Fireplace|Garden|Frescos|Private Chapel|Stunning Views

Prices (6 bedrooms total)

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High Season: April 8th – October 15th, Christmas, New Years and Easter included.
Low Season: October 15th – March 31st (2007).

Last Minute Offer: Book less than four weeks in advance, and get the 1st week of the Rocca for 2,500!

Last Minute Offer for groups of four people or less: Book less than four weeks in advance, use only two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and get the sole use of the Rocca for 1,150 Euro per week!

The Rocca in Italian means defence tower, and in Paciano, several of them are located next to the village's various gates. Even if rivalry between towns still remains, risks of invasions from Perugia, Florence or the Vatican armies are long gone. So in the 17th century, once the area had reached political stability, the town walls were extended and put to other use. The 15th century tower was converted into dwellings, and its neighbouring buildings converted into an oil mill. Approximately at this time, the property became the residence of the Buitoni family.

The Buitoni are one of the most well known families in the area. His ancestors founded the Perugina Chocolate factory, best known for its Baci, and later went on to start the Buitoni Pasta Corporation, one of Italy's largest. By the 19th century, the Buitoni family had moved to Rome, and their house was mainly used as a summer residence.

The Rocca consists of six bedrooms, four bathrooms, a large living room with a private chapel, a kitchen, and several furnished halls.It is spread over four floors, and across the street, you have access to a half-acre garden.

Entering the town from the south gates, one passes under the vault that today houses the chapel and one of the bedrooms. The moat is long gone, as are the wooden gates. The door to the apartment is in this alley, and leads directly to a welcoming hall furnished with vases, carpets and antiques.

Going a flight of stairs, one enters the bottom floor of the defence tower. It is today the living room. Details include large French windows with views over the countryside and the lake Trasimeno valley, and in-between them, a majestic fireplace regularly used in the winter months. A hand cast iron chandelier hangs from an amazing red brick vaulted ceiling. The 15th century stones in the walls are still visible, as are red brick arches and niches in the walls. The antique dining table seats 8 people, but extra chairs can be taken down from the kitchen to seat larger groups. Renaissance still life paintings hang on the wall, and are complemented by ceramics from Deruta. Other antiques, from furniture to decorative artefacts, and Persian carpets complement the architecture in creating an atmosphere hard to describe in words.

In conjunction to the living room is a private chapel covered with 17th century frescos. This chapel is still consecrated, and mass is often held here during the reunions of the Buitoni family. About 12 people can fit in it, and in more recent years, it has been used both for weddings and meditation.

The kitchen is also found on this floor. It is complete of all necessary equipment, including a gas stove, oven, microwave and the mandatory espresso machine. All the utensils needed to cook and serve food for up to 12 people are included. The kitchen is furnished with a smaller dining table, suitable for breakfast, quick lunches and snacks. This floor has two double bedrooms, each with their private baths. One overlooks a cobble-stone alley in Paciano, while the other has views of the Umbrian countryside.

Going up another flight of stairs is the second tower room located right above the living room. It is the master bedroom, whose dominant feature is its raised double bed. The room is furnished with antique sofas, tables and cupboards, all topped with a grand piano. The windows give way to a magnificent view over the Trasimeno Lake and the Tuscan border. The ceiling and the walls are covered with frescos from the turn of the century. Some of the frescos depict pillars, while the medallions found in the vaulted ceiling is most likely the first sight you will see when waking up in the morning. Other frescos depict local landscape scenes. On one of the walls hangs a painting proudly depicting the Buitoni family tree going back many generations.

The master bedroom shares the bathroom with another bedroom. This bedroom is furnished with a double bed and cupboards. From the window, you see the roof tops of Paciano. The location of this room, placed on top of one of the one of the village entrances, made this one of the village's strategic defence post during its numerous wars and conquest attempts.

On the other side of the stairway, there are two more bedrooms separated by a wide hall furnished with chairs and a breakfast table. Even these rooms contain a double bed, and share a bathroom with shower. All the furniture is original from the house, and tastefully fits in.

There is a half-acre garden located right outside the town walls, by the house. It has outdoor furniture, including a mandatory hammock. If you have young children, please keep in mind that you have to cross a street to access it.

The antique furniture, Persian carpets, renaissance art and frescos, together with the views contribute in making a stay in the Rocca unforgettable. You get to feel the 700-year-old history of the building as soon as you step inside. If you are looking for ghosts, this is the place to look as the legends and stories are many. It is why it has become the perfect choice for family reunions, wedding celebrations, Christmas and New Year celebrations, or just a good time with friends. When visiting the surrounding historic towns of Orvieto, Assisi, Cortona, Siena, and Todi, you will have a place to long back to in the evenings.