Holiday home in Siena with large garden among the Tuscan hills

Staying in a holiday home in Siena with a garden in the heart of Tuscany

The villa of Certano, built in neoclassical style, is recognized as one of the most beautiful holiday homes in Siena.
Situated in a panoramic position, it dominates the hill of the “Costa al Pino” plateau, offering a perfect environment for those looking for a stay immersed in nature. Already in the Lombard era, this place was home to a “chomunello”, a small village that revolved around the proto-Romanesque church of San Michele Arcangelo, which still exists today.

Siena Vacation Rentals with a large garden

The apartments for the agritourism have been created in the wings and in some rooms of the villa itself. Two are in the building where the stables used to be.

The estate’s land, vineyards, olive groves, fields and woods, cover the entire hill down to the valley and it is therefore not surprising that Borgovillacertano is renowned for its panorama. It is open without interruptions towards the four cardinal points. With its tranquility it does not even seem to be only fifteen minutes from Siena.

Let’s take a look starting from the South, towards which the Villa looks. Here is the Pian dei Mori: it begins at the foot of the Certano hill and extends in front until, seven kilometers away, it meets the Colline Metallifere, the high and wild mountains once exploited by the Etruscans for their mineral wealth, which lead to the Maremma and the sea.

Turning your gaze to the left, to the South-East the Val d’Arbia and the Val D’Orcia. Far away, more than fifty km away, you can see Mount Amiata, an extinct volcano of over 1700 m. Such is the view that during the Second World War the Villa was requisitioned as an air lookout point by the Germans first and then by the Allies.

Continuing to the East, the famous Crete Senesi with their lunar landscape and isolated cypresses known throughout the world. They begin near us, in Costalpino, and extend for tens of kilometers.

Turning your gaze further, you can see Siena, with the Mangia tower and the bell tower of the Cathedral, only four kilometers away as the crow flies and at about the same altitude as Certano. Its hills act as a backdrop to the Chianti Mountains.

The hills, continuing north, surround Certano passing from the fortified castle of Belcaro until reaching the Montagnola to the North West, where the land suddenly changes from tuffaceous, typical of the lands of Siena, beyond the Rigo valley becomes wild, calcareous and rocky, until it meets the Colline Metallifere to complete the tour.

From Certano you can take walks in our lands or on foot or by bicycle, to explore the hills towards Belcaro and Fornicchiaia, or the paths of the Montagnola.

Holiday homes with garden in Siena (pets allowed)

The large park around the Villa is equipped for guests’ relaxation, with deckchairs, tables and chairs, outdoor sofas and a gazebo, in various separate areas:

• The square, the lawns and the garden that the Villa overlooks are the first we encounter upon arrival. From here you can enjoy the entire panorama to the south. It is used for large events, together with the two frescoed rooms and the other rooms on the ground floor of the Villa.

• The hanging garden, located to the side of it, can be reached from the church square through the lemon house. It is a wonderful example of an Italian garden with geometric box hedges and flowering plants, it looks out onto the Villa square and enjoys the same view. There are special benches in the style of the early twentieth century. The hanging garden is used for refreshments, ceremonies, shootings, events and can be booked on request.

• The beautiful holm oak grove on the other side of the road in front of the Villa is a place of thick shade and coolness appreciated on sunny summer days.

• To the side of the Villa is a small park dominated in the center by a majestic centuries-old Cedar of Lebanon plant. It is bordered by viburnum and oleander hedges and is ideal for sitting in a deckchair or around a table. It is occasionally used on request for seminars, yoga classes and other events.

• To the north, beyond the oleander hedge, there is a fruit orchard lawn equipped with deckchairs, tables and chairs, where you can enjoy the view of the hills, or have an aperitif watching the sun set behind the Montagnola.

• Overlooking the Cedar of Lebanon park there is another grove used as a parking lot: 5-6 cars can fit there discreetly without disturbing the view.

• The Herb Garden, accessible from the church square, is arranged on terraces overlooking the hills and the castle of Belcaro, the Montagnola and to the right the hills of Siena with its towers. Once upon a time it was all a vegetable garden, and on the side there was a chicken coop and a small pond for ducks. The view is wonderful and the position is cool in the summer. Ideal for reading a book, or having lunch outside in company under the gazebo. Just above Belcaro is the North Star and at night, for lovers of the sky, you can sit and watch the stars slowly rotate around it.

• To the east of the Villa, past the apse of the Church and the Tinaia, where in autumn we make wine, we arrive at the courtyard behind the old kitchen, with a portico furnished with tables and chairs or benches, well shaded and ideal for eating meals, thanks also to the proximity of the old kitchen. Once upon a time the portico was used as a woodshed, and the wood-fired oven still exists.

• To complete and connect everything, around the Villa there are avenues formed by lime trees and ancient oaks where you can walk, sit and enjoy the view you want.