Campalfi is a beautiful Tuscan farmhouse in the hills south-west of Siena, in an area once a powerhouse at the heart of Sienese wealth and prosperity. Known as the "Metal Hills", the area between Siena and the Tuscan coast is rich in various metals, from iron and copper to even silver. Mills in the hills were powered by the rivers, and protected by a series of castles. Today the area is quieter, and Campalfi is tucked away in a dell by the river Merse, known in the area for its beautiful wild-swimming spots.
The drawing in the header is a sketch of the house I made in 1996, we've known and represented this beautiful property for a long time.
Campalfi has a special magnetism. Sounds of water, at first whispering then sighing and chattering as you are drawn down the lane to the oak glade, off along a little path, and to the steps which are cut into the river bank. This wide, slow moving river, important in the past for Siena's corn mills, is now frequented by dragonflies and birds, its banks host to rare shrubs and wild flowers, all picturesquely framed by wooded hillsides and antique roses. To stay here is to go back in time, closer to nature, and to slower natural ryhthms of life. Campalfi has no swimming pool but a short walk across the field will take you to the river Merse and some wonderful natural pools. You can swim close to the house or head upriver and explore how many other natural spots you can find. The river Merse a natural bathing area of great beauty, with clean, large pools, bigger than Olympic swimming pools, with shallow, safe areas shelving from tiny sandy beaches, and deep parts accessible by diving from the rocks and banks, all picturesquely framed by the steep wooded hillsides and wild flowers.
The apartments are spacious but simple - there are no televisions - these are perfect spots for those who prefer to spend most of their time outdoors, relaxing in the extensive gardens, walking in the surrounding forested hills or swimming in the river. Campalfi is in a wide, fertile valley and the views are of this lovely, mystical countryside, inviting guests to make rewarding explorations, on foot, bikes or horses. Fishing rods are available and there are riding stables within easy reach, and balloon flights can be arranged. Nearby, the hill village of Orgia has a restaurant / general store and bar, and just outside the village is a "Woods Museum", an outstanding example of a living museum, with country artefacts housed in a huge Tithe barn, and guided walks through the woods and countryside.
There are walks straight from the house to castles - like the fabulously named "Castiglion che Dio sol sa" (The castle that only God knows) - or to abbeys with Romanesque cloisters, like nearby Torri. There are a couple of restaurants within walking distance, like "Il Vecchio Tinaio", just over 1km away, or the "Bottega di Stigliano" around 2.2km away.
If you want to explore further, Siena is barely 20 minutes away, San Gimignano is under an hour, Val d'Orcia a similar distance and the hills and wineries of Chianti are around 45 minutes away.
