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Description

SAN MARTINO

The eighteenth century stone farmhouse of San Martino is one of only a handful of properties around Lago di Corbara which is known as ItalyÕs Ô forgotten lake'. Positioned between Orvieto and Todi, San Martino is in the middle of the Parco del Fluviale Tevere (the equivalent to a protected area of outstanding natural beauty in the UK). The world famous Vissani Restaurant (2 Michelin stars) can be found on the opposite shore.

San Martino is a substantial property of 7,557 sq ft (702 m²) set in grounds of 10 acres (4.04 hectares). The approach to this unique property is down a small private track to the tip of a peaceful peninsula where the house sits surrounded by water on three sides. There are beautiful views of the lake and rolling hills beyond from all the main downstairs rooms and most of the bedrooms.

On the ground floor there is a large drawing room with a traditional fireplace, a smaller sitting room, two inter-connecting dining rooms and a large well equipped kitchen. There are eight en suite bedrooms and two further sitting rooms on the first floor. On the second floor there are two bedrooms, a sitting room and bathroom.

San Martino was fully renovated in 2003 - 2005 using traditional local materials and excellent craftsmanship with superb attention to detail. Handmade terracotta floor tiles run throughout the house except in the bathrooms and kitchen which have travertine marble tiles and flagstones. The walls are plastered in a typical warm-toned pigment and the windows and doors are made by local craftsmen from chestnut.

THE POOL AND GROUNDS
The swimming pool (20m x 8m) is one of the largest private pools in Italy. The grounds and gardens extend to six acres in all; about 2 acres surround the house with a further acre beyond the orchard suitable for tennis courts, subject to planning permission.

2 small stone buildings suitable for storage can be found adjacent to the house along with a wood store. A small grotto, once thought to have been the source of a spring, is in need of restoration.

The remaining 3 acres are made up of an olive grove, a small abandoned vineyard and meadows.


ACTIVITIES
The lake offers opportunities to fish, sail or potter about in a small motorboat. The surrounding hills make superb walking country through wildflower meadows, woodland and open country with panoramic views across the area. Canyoning is a popular sport in the local waterfalls. For a more peaceful pastime, San Martino is within easy reach of some of the worldÕs most beautiful and historically important gardens.


THE AREA
Romans consider southern Umbria to be one of their countryÕs finest holiday areas and have maintained this well-kept secret while the British took over Tuscany. Cradled between Rome and Florence, it is under two hours to RomeÕs airports and one and a half hours drive to the city of Rome in one direction and Florence in the other with excellent train links to both from Orvieto.

The exquisite medieval town of Orvieto is 10 miles / 16 kms from San Martino and offers exclusive boutique shopping, street markets, a theatre, musical events, a spectrum of restaurants and bistros and a wealth of Etruscan and Renaissance interest. The Cathedral is regarded as one of the best examples of Gothic architecture in Italy. The nearby towns of Assisi, Perugia, Spoleto and the hilltop town of Todi have a vibrant mix of culture, history, shopping and excellent food and wine.

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