Enjoy a tranquil vacation at these country apartments in Tuscany, Italy. The abandoned medieval village of Isola Santa has now been brought back to life, offering Tuscany house rentals for parties of 2 to 10 in the quiet of the Apuan Alps.
The area around these country apartments in Tuscany, Italy is also rich in caves and grottoes. Even non-cavers can visit the impressive Grotta del Vento. And since 2001 you can visit 2km of the Antro del Corchia, the widest cave in all Europe, situated on the Versilian side. The karst phenomenon sees waters disappearing in underground hollows, which reappear as wonderful spring waters. One of these can be admired just in front of Isola Santa: La Pollaccia, one of the main springs in Italy.
Hidden in the local woods you will discover abandoned little ghost villages, empty for more than 50 years but still telling stories of the past. Some of those (such as Col di Favilla and Puntato) can be reached by easy paths in a one-hour walk. And just 3km from these Tuscany house rentals, along the Valdarni provincial road, you see the "giant potholes". These big round hollows in the ground are formed by water erosion.
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The lake of Isola Santa and the Turrite Secca stream, both fed by the La Pollaccia spring, are rich in wild fario trout, which can be fished from March till October. You can enjoy relaxing, bathing and picnics on the quiet and easily accessible shores of the lake.
The wooded area surrounding Isola Santa is made up mostly of chestnut trees. The inhabitants of Garfagnana use the chestnuts for neccio flour, with which they prepare delicious sweets and cakes. Between June and October, when the weather is fair, you will meet many people walking miles looking for the much sought-after cep mushrooms (Porcini), combining a nice walk in the woods with the pleasures of good food.
The hosts will be delighted to welcome you to the nearby Da Giaccò Restaurant, where you can taste local specialities as such as Porcini mushrooms, truffles, grilled meats, salami and Garfagnana cheese.
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The marble quarries of the Apuan Alps have been well-known for centuries for the beauty of their white marble. Michelangelo used to come personally to these caves to pick out marble for his masterpieces. The magnificence and imposing atmosphere of the local marble quarries is worth a visit to this day.
A stay at Isola Santa lets you discover Tuscan treasures. Just 30km away are the sunny and sandy beaches of the Versilian Riviera, stretching along to the Tyrrhenian coast. And within easy reach are unique and unforgettable towns such as medieval Lucca, Pisa with its Field of Miracles, and Florence, cradle of the Renaissance.
Back home, and this part of the Garfagnana has a long and complex history. In 1260, a scribe wrote of a hospital in Isola Santa, giving shelter to those wayfarers who went through the Apuan Alps to reach the Versilian Coast or the Garfagnana. Along this long and difficult journey Isola Santa was a fixed meeting point, and was therefore probably fortified. It certainly had a watch tower (lost over the centuries, but the street via della Torre remains).
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Despite its strategic position, the little village was isolated and very difficult to reach due to the bad conditions of the communication routes, and its economy was poor and simple. This isolation persisted for centuries, and ended only with the construction of the road and gallery of Cipollaio at the beginning of the 20th century. After this, in 1949 the construction of the dam radically changed the valley and the inhabitants of Isola Santa slowly abandoned their houses.
But now the hamlet lives again. These Tuscany house rentals offer a unique experience as this little medieval village comes to life again, a marvellous combination of antique charm and a natural environment. To find out more about these country apartments in Tuscany, Italy, click below. Your hosts will be happy to answer any questions you have.
