Villa La Scala
Tall ceilings and restored frescoes provide an impressive and harmonious backdrop to the high-spec features of this Italianate villa
This handsome villa with its classical architectural lines, formal gardens and beautiful parkland lies in the very heart of Italy, close to Lake Trasimeno on the border between Umbria and Tuscany.
La Scala was built in or around 1870 as a hunting lodge, and has a rich and interesting history. Approached by a tree-lined avenue from the small town of Pozzuolo, the property is surrounded by olive trees, cypress trees and green oaks. The rear elevation and formal garden, with its large saltwater and heated pool, face south. Grand classical steps planted with lavender and cypresses either side provide elegant access between the two.
The careful interior renovation of La Scala, completed in 2019, saw beautiful original features restored to their former glory, including cementine tiled bedroom floors and upstairs wall frescoes. The highlight, however, is the central, grand, elliptical, grey sandstone staircase, hand-carved from the local Pietra Serena stone, also known as Macigno. The staircase is a rare example and one of the best of its kind.
High-spec modern additions were included to balance comfort with the grandeur, while pared-back interiors allow the space and the materials, such as the Carrara marble kitchen counter top, to take centre stage.
The property is perfectly placed for exploring the region’s abundance of hilltop towns and cities with their enduring cultural and culinary appeal, or the beaches and water sports of Lake Trasimeno. La Scala is within walking distance of Pozzuolo and offers guaranteed privacy.