Il Conventino
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From an ancient hilltop sanctuary to a secluded retreat.

Anghiari, Tuscany

Il Conventino — former monastery near Anghiari, Valtiberina, Tuscany

The Story

Nine centuries of heritage.

Long before the Augustinian hermits settled here in the twelfth century, Etruscans worked these hills and levelled the rocky outcrop where the monastery would eventually rise. Il Conventino, a historic Tuscan villa, is recognised as one of Italy's oldest Augustinian monasteries, a place of contemplation for five hundred years.

While the full details of its past are unknown, the building went through periods of neglect. According to records, in the 1700s a monk named Aurelio Fabroni arrived to restore the monastery and chronicled its history. A headstone etched with his name still sits within a niche on the first floor, in the former reception room for the abbot.

Il Conventino on its forested hillside, viewed from across the valley
The vaulted chapel as a sitting room, two green velvet sofas facing each other across a Persian rug
Stone walls and terracotta-tiled roof corner of the monastery
Carved wood door frame with rosette detailing under a hand-hewn timber lintel
A canopy bed beneath a vaulted ceiling, with a hand-painted wardrobe to one side
A restored living room with a stone fireplace beneath a tall plaster hood, ceramic lamps on dark side tables flanking the hearth, layered Persian rugs underfoot
A long outdoor table set with blue-and-white plates, before the stone facade in summer
The refectory restored as a dining hall, blue wishbone chairs around a long wooden table

Modern transformation

After centuries of flourishing, once again the estate was reclaimed by nature, its stone and painted plaster exposed to the elements. Accessible only by a mule path, it stood mostly empty for decades, until a meticulous restoration in the early 2000s brought it back to life. Preserving its centuries-old soul while creating a sophisticated living space, the renovation seamlessly integrated ancient architectural features with modern amenities.

The new home incorporated reclaimed materials, such as stone flooring and chestnut wood beams, as well as bespoke metalwork and beautifully painted joinery sourced from local craftsmen. The unique modern-rustic aesthetic was punctuated by the use of heavy wooden doors, some adorned with traditional handmade nails. With great attention to detail existing architectural finishes were stripped back to reveal original wall paintings and ancient plasterwork dating back to the times when this was an active monastery.

Today the villa continues in the same spirit it embodied for hundreds of years: lightly tended, unhurried, unique.

More about the rich history of il Conventino and the site can be found in the book by Elizabeth Wickett —
A Strange Odyssey: …the story of an ancient Conventino(opens in a new tab)

A high-beamed living room with a stone fireplace, modular sofa, and ivory armchairs around a Persian rug
The kitchen with a yellow island, gas range, and stone walls under a beamed ceiling
The swimming pool surrounded by lawn and cypresses, the stone facade rising behind
A wood-fired oven, fire blazing inside its stone surround
A sitting room with a white sofa, green pillows, and woven masks arranged on the wall

Accommodations

A three-story historic stone house on a hilltop, looking out over the Monti Rognosi nature reserve. The drive in — a hilly gravel road, a ford across the Sovara stream, cypress trees on the final climb — sets the pace for everything that follows.

The interior is defined by its grand proportions and unique historical features, most notably a full-height internal chapel known for its great acoustics. This versatile space, which has hosted numerous chamber music concerts, serves as a centrepiece of the ground floor and can host ceremonies, music events, and gatherings.

The spacious kitchen occupies a former manger, retaining its brick arches and featuring a large central island, while an adjacent scullery houses a centuries-old domed wood-burning oven, perfect for artisanal baking, pizza, and roasts. The masks above the seating area were made by theater students, who performed the myth of Persephone on the outdoor theatre stage. Adjacent to the kitchen is a generous dining room that opens directly onto the manicured front lawn.

A comfortably furnished living room is the focal point of the first floor, featuring a historic fireplace and wall paintings alongside modern furnishings, lighting, and artwork.

The residence accommodates guests across six bedrooms and offers five bathrooms. The house extends to a capacity of sixteen people with a sleeper sofa in the second-floor sitting room and a trundle-bed in the alcove of the large bedroom on the same floor.

  • Sleeps 12–16 across 6 bedrooms and additional flex spaces
  • 6 bedrooms · 5 bathrooms (4 ensuite) · 1 bathtub
  • Infinity pool · salt water · heat pump extended season
  • Chapel with grand piano and Klipsch speakers
  • Historic domed wood-fired pizza oven
  • 5.5 hectares · nature reserve · river swimming
  • 5km from Anghiari · gravel road approach
Contact us to book
Stone facade of the building beside a long wooden outdoor dining table set up on the lawn, late-afternoon light

The Setting

Anghiari, in the Province of Arezzo

Tuscany's upper Tiber valley — natural beauty, views, and tranquility.

Il Conventino is located just five kilometers from the medieval hilltop town of Anghiari, widely regarded as one of Italy's most beautiful villages. Visitors enjoy easy access to a vibrant cultural scene, including museums, classical music festivals, and traditional Tuscan vintage car rallies.

Anghiari · 10 minArezzo · 40 minFlorence · 1h 20Perugia airport · 55 minRome · 2h 30