Monterchi is a picturesque Tuscan hilltop village east of Arezzo, near the Umbrian border. And Il Palazzetto is an old palace built right into the fortified walls of the main village square.
At the end of the garden (in a secluded position) a gate connects this house with the Italian garden of Il Palazzetto. Here lies I Merli, a charming old stone house with beams dating back to the year 1600. In the Marzochi family since the 18th century, it has been lovingly restored by present owner Donatella.
The house has been created within the ruined walls of the castle. At the entrance is an old well fed by rainwater. Surrounding it is a pretty and private garden, planted with rosemary, lavender, herbs and topiary laurel trees. It has delightful views from the ancient walls. There is an al fresco dining area, and a lover's window high in the castle parapet. At the bottom of the garden is a cool grotto for taking tea on hot days.
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Again, due to the height of the walls, this house isn’t suitable for young children. With the house hewn from the old walls of the castle the layout is pleasingly eccentric ... as it has been since medieval days. There is a nice split between sleeping and living areas. From the small entrance hall you turn right into the living room, furnished with comfortable sofas and a fireplace. Through here lies the dining area —open to the kitchen. The compact kitchen is fully equipped with all you’ll need to prepare full meals and comes with a dishwasher. It was recently refitted with beautiful local tiles and wooden cabinets.
Off the hall lies the master bedroom, with en-suite bathroom and fireplace. Further along the hall lies a double bedroom and a twin bedroom; these share a second bathroom. I Merli sleeps up to six guests. Every care has been taken in furnishing the house, using local antiques. The bathrooms are all recently refurbished, mainly in white, and have heated towel rails and hairdryers. There is a colour satellite TV, washing and ironing facilities and central heating throughout.
Don’t miss the Cappella del Cimitero, five minutes walk away, showcasing the recently restored Madonna with Child fresco by Piero della Francesca, a native of nearby Sansepolcro. The small but beautiful fresco dates back to 1446 and is a rare and bold portrayal of a pregnant Madonna.
There is a bus stop five minutes drive away, with local services to Arezzo and its rail station. Tennis courts are five minutes’ drive, and the Umbria Sport and Fitness Resort at Antognola is a 40-minute drive. It has an 18-hole golf course, tennis, horse riding and hiking trails. It’s open all year round and closed Tuesdays. There is more horse riding at Monterchi, ten minutes away.
[ local map | map of region ]Morning markets are held in Monterchi on Sundays, in Sansepolcro on Tuesdays and Saturdays, in Città di Castello on Thursdays and Saturdays and in Arezzo each Saturday. There is a flea market at Città di Castello, and Arezzo has its famous antiques market.
You’ll find one restaurant in the main square of Monterchi, across from the property. There are many restaurants and shops, including a supermarket, in the modern part of the village, five minutes’ drive away. Evening meals can be requested when booking.
Sansepolcro and Città di Castello: are 15 minutes drive, Arezzo and Umbertide 25 minutes. Cortona and Perugia: are 50 minutes, Assisi, Gubbio, Chiusi and Tuoro sul Trasimeno one hour. Montepulciano, Pienza and Todi are 70 minutes drive. Siena, Florence, Orvieto and Castellina in Chianti are 80 minutes away, San Gimignano 90 minutes.
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