Genius Loci
The enchantment of a timelessly beautiful place of the soulSuspended between sky and sea, this ancient dwelling, so full of past life… yet still present, suggests the need to return to peace with oneself and others, throughout the contemplation of nature and the discovery of the agricultural life rhythms.
Everything comes from love
The memory of happy and carefree childhood days spent in the countryside, playing with the soil and leaves, tasting the different flavor of fruit picked directly from the tree, recognizing the scents offered by nature, climbing trees, listening to the whisper of the wind, the song of birds, and the gurgling of water, watching the sunset in the suddenly silent air, have guided us in this life project.
Thus, while our countryside is depopulating, environmental disasters are multiplying, and ancestral knowledge passed down from father to son is disappearing, we wanted to protect our origins and our past and ensure that one can still live with dignity from the land.
It was natural to focus on the olive tree, a sacred tree: everything develops around it.The production of extravirgin olive oil began, following the traditions of the white Camaldolese monks, who were the first to inhabit the place.
All our actions strive to be inspired by these principles, even though, as human actions, they are always susceptible to improvement, thanks also to your suggestions.
Thus, to irrigate the lawn and vegetable garden, we have restored the ancient cisterns that collected rainwater. To date, five cisterns have been brought back into use, allowing a water saving of more than 2000 cubic meters per year.
Within the estate, a large composter has been created; in this way, each year we manage to produce more than 5 tons less of organic waste, creating a virtuous circle where plant waste returns to become humus for the soil.
In the fields, we follow the method of integrated agriculture, but our aspiration is biodynamic agriculture.
Specific attention is paid to biodiversity: we try to reproduce some plants, among many, that are at risk of extinction, such as clary sage, which you can also taste in our kitchen dishes. Walking in the countryside, you will then notice many species of the spontaneous flora of the Mediterranean area.
In restoring the buildings, particular care was taken in the preservation of the pre-existing structures: you will notice that the main facade of the large guesthouse features inserts with the original plaster which, where possible, we have preserved. Similarly, where new interventions were necessary, great attention was given to the use of natural materials, lime putty, lapilli, and pozzolana, and lime paints.
Our philosophy of restoration, in contrast to today’s consumer society, is also reflected in the furniture, objects, and furnishings you will find in the rooms. In the guesthouse, there are the original family furniture, true antique pieces. In the monks’ abodes, you will also notice many family furniture and memories that have been carefully restored and reinstated in their use or converted to different functions from the original ones, such as the late 19th-century prints and early 20th-century souvenir postcards that are proudly displayed, the frames of furniture, now disappeared, used as over-door decorations, a gun rack turned into a unique coat rack, the original 19th-century washstand furniture back in use.
Thus, in the guesthouses and the monks’ residences, the tasting and hospitality areas were born.
Here our guests are welcomed as friends and can discover true luxury – natural luxury: that of the soul, of time for oneself, immersed in unspoiled nature and surrounded by friendly pampering.