We are a small, traditional Umbrian community living in a beautiful 15th century farm hamlet perched on a ridge over-looking our 38 hectares olive-groves, farm and woodlands. Our vision at Monestevole is to build a model sustainable community in the Green Heart of Italia that celebrates the best of traditional living, providing a beautiful and inspiring home for tribe members from around the world.
ABOUT MONESTEVOLE
Monestevole was originally built in the 15th century as a watch tower for nearby Monestevole castle. Over the coming centuries, additional parts were added to the tower to develop it into the current borgo (halmet) structure. It was used as a farmer’s borgo until the 1950’s when it was abandoned.
MONESTEVOLE COMMUNITY
Up to 12 farmer's families lived in Monestevole until the 1950s, each with their own living quarters in the main house. The Ferranti and Taborchi family worked the land until selling it to Alessio and Valeria in 1997. They made oil, wine, and grew staple crops to feed their cows, pigs, chickens and donkeys.
WHILST AT MONESTEVOLE: PROJECTS & ACTIVITIES
Umbria is the greenest region of Italy; full of woodlands, which have been sustainably harvested for the past 20 years. The laws here are such that you can only cut a hectare of woodland every 20 years, leaving spare trees on each hectare, so the amount of forests in Umbria have actually increased over this time period. Local crops include olive oil, wine (Umbria is famous for its Sagrantino di Montefalco), sunflowers, legumes, tobacco, and salamis and meats, including wild boar.
Cucina / Kitchen
Food is grown locally, deep in Umbrian traditions, rich in culinary knowledge. The meats are grass fed from the Umbertide valley, the oil and jams, tomato sauce and vegetables are all from Monestevole. The wine is from the nearby vineyards. We plan to grow farro and legumes to make whole grain bread and pasta, make essences with fresh lavender and cure our own meats.
Sweet Dreams
Although we all eat from the same table, the same doesn't apply to sleeping! There are plenty of bedrooms at Monestevole; 22 beds in all, ranging from private apartments with open fireplaces to the attic bunk room.
