Molino Meocci
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Molino Meocci
 

A SENSITIVELY RESTORED 18TH CENTURY WATERMILL
ON THE UMBRIAN/TUSCANY BORDER

 
 

An early watermill on a tributary of the Tiber, Molino Meocci has been restored over the years since we found it in1990. The house is on 3 main levels, built into a hillside, overlooking its stream and waterfall, and 15 mins walk from San Giustino piazza with its restaurants, bars, banks, pizzerias and groceries. It now has a sunny terrace, overlooked by a shaded portico with its original bread oven - reminding us of its legacy as a focus of community life. The stream runs alongside -  in a minute you can go down the wooded trail to rock pools in a glade - which stay just as nature provides.

A good base for visiting the hilltowns bordering the Upper Tiber Valley, and to cycle, to walk in the hills, visit monasteries, frescoes, wildlife reserves, and soak up the amazing produce, crafts, cuisine and traditions of Florence, Siena, Arezzo, Perugia and the Adriatic Coast.

It was built robustly - thick stone walls, chestnut beams and terracotta floors - and its rustic charm remains intact, made comfortable for today’s ways of life. With 4 double bedrooms, it can accommodate 8-10 people. Having 2 main levels, it’s easy to be all together, or on occasions to keep a degree of independence.

 
 

THE HOUSE

When we found this ancient watermill in 1989 we were intrigued by its idiosyncracies. Restoring it to bring it back into use from dereliction has been a joy over many years, beginning in 1990. Its rustic character and simplicity are preserved, while providing all that you need for a comfortable stay in an intriguing part of history.

With its thick stone walls, chestnut beams and terracotta floors, it was built robustly, to work with the water to make power. Restoring this purpose is our goal. Its original mill equipment -added in1767- remains in place at the base of the building, awaiting restoration.

It’s a traditional area where old skills are kept alive. The mill building reminds us how people coexisted with nature, farming and preparing food. Staying by the stream, harvesting the hills, woods, and learning local traditions of food and farming, have made it for us a place of restoration . We hope you find your own dreams here too.

EXPLORE THE AREA

Walking directly from the house, you can reach a rockpool in our stream in 2 mins, or venture uphill to take walking tracks across hills and valleys - choose your distance: from a few minutes to an entire day, with breathtaking views. The deck and portico at molino are peaceful, and a good place to gather for meals. Time for aperitivo, coffee, pizza, dinner? Walk to San Giustino in 20 mins, or take the route over the hill with an extra half hour. The neighbouring 2 villages - within an hours walk - have a fantastic restaurant and pizzeria.

Outdoor swimming pools can be found in the beautiful neighbouring valley (almost uninhabited), and also a large family -friendly pool in the nearest walled renaissance town of Sansepolcro, 10 mins drive. Larger rockpools half an hour drive away at Il Sasso.

The Rough Guide to Italy says: "Often referred to as 'the green heart of Italy', Umbria is a beautiful region of rolling hills, woods, streams and valleys and is predominantly unspoilt. Within its borders it also contains a dozen or so classic hill-towns, each resolutely individual and crammed with artistic and architectural treasures."

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