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Profile
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 A charming, historic residence in the Tuscan landscape situated on a hilltop that allows a 360 degrees panoramic view including the famous towers of San Gimignano, the Fortezza, after a long and thorough restoration, became an enchanting and unique residence exceeding 6,000 square feet. |
 The floors and ceilings in antique handmade tiles, the beams in chestnut, the arched ceilings and the fine fireplaces, anything suggests the idea that here time has been stopped. The residence has a refined and exclusive atmosphere that still maintains the warmth of family-style management and the owners, who live in the property nearby, are available for any request. |
 The spacious building only offers 5 double rooms and a suite. Its maximum capacity is of 12 people. The bedrooms enjoy the wonderful view. The villa of Fortezza de' Cortesi looks upon a beautiful terraced garden with a gazebo. The estate is about 12he and includes a farm where olive oil, saffron and aromatic herbs are produced. |
 Near the olive grove, you can find the large swimming pool equipped with patio furniture to sunbathe and a quiet pergola, which offers abundant shade, that is a perfect haven for rest or to contemplate the breathtaking view of the Tuscan landscape. At guests disposal there is also a private parking.
The villa is an ideal point of departure for day trips to the cities of Tuscany and the perfect base to return after excursions into the countryside with its historic, artistic and gastronomic treasures. |
 Fortezza de' Cortesi, an historical residence...
Located in the hamlet named Monti Fortezza de' Cortesi is one of the most important historical and architectural sites in Val d'Elsa. Likely of etruscan origin, it certainly dates back to at least the Xth century: in the year 929 Ugo, King of Italy, gave the site, then called Monte della Torre, to Adelardo III, bishop of Volterra. Then it belonged to the Marquis Ugo of Tuscany, who assigned it to the abbey of San Michele in Poggibonsi.
At the beginning of XVIth century Monti became a sumptuous villa of the noble Cortesi family, and a centre of humanistic studies, by the name of Castrum Cortesianum. |
 Here the prelate Paolo Cortesi collected together many scholars of that times and it was here also that he wrote and had printed by the famous copperplate engraver Simone Nardi, called The Red, his precious work "De Cardinalatu", of which only five copies remain in the world.
At the end of 1700 there still remained traces of the great castle walls, with gates and keeps, and the rudiments of underground road which united Monti with San Gimignano; the last gate in stone was pulled down at the beginning of XXth century. Today Monti is a charming rural hamlet, which keeps alive the architectural imprints of the past. |
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