DARIO’S MONASTERY IN TUSCANY

Nestled in the hills at the confluence of three valleys 23 miles east of Siena in Tuscany is Monastero di Coriano, built more than 1,000 years ago. It remained a fortified monastery in the Augustian Order of the Catholic Church until 1650, when the order was abolished by the Pope, as it rivaled his power. It then became a farm. Dario Sattui, owner of V. Sattui winery and Castello di Amorosa, bought it in 1991.

Monastero di Coriano has recently been beautifully and authentically remodeled, and one apartment is available for rent on a limited basis by the week only to V. Sattui and Castello di Amorosa club members.

The two-bedroom, one large bath apartment can comfortably host four people. It has a large fireplace, large, fully-equipped kitchen and dining area. It is furnished with antiques, but has modern-day free wi-fi service.

Guests will enjoy the Monastery’s swimming pool, pond, outdoor oven for making bread and pizza, as well as an outdoor kitchen and pergola for al fresco dining.

The Monastery’s courtyard features a deep well, surrounded on four sides by a church and two-story buildings in which the farm animals and monks lived. It overlooks a castle 2 miles away, another monastery, a walled medieval town, vineyards, olive orchards, fields and forest. The monastery is surrounded by 5 acres of olives and immense forests. It is very private and secluded, yet close to many major sites.