i Romiti (the hermitage) An artists' village

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Map showing Pizza, Lucca and Fabbriche di VCallico

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I Romiti s a Tuscan hamlet off the road between Lucca and Bagni di Lucca and lying just inside the beautiful Parco Naturale Alpi Apunane The nearest airport is Pisa and the nearest village, 10 minutes walk away, is Fabbriche di Vallico. The historical city of Lucca is 45 minutes away but when the local road improvements are completed the journey will take only 35 minutes. The historic city of Florence can be reached by road in 1 hour

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                                        Lucca's Piazza San Michele

Driving from Lucca on the road that follows the Serchio river the turn to Fabbriche di Vallico is just past the famous Ponte di Diavolo a spectacular landmark. The foot bridge, with its particular structure of asymmetric arches, represents an interesting example of medieval engineering. The bridge was constructed on the orders of the Contessa Matilde di Canossa (1046-1115) and was restored at the beginning of the 1300's

Ponte di Diavolo

On the road to Fabbriche di Vallico

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A typical Tuscan village, Fabbriche di Vallico has 3 general stores, a bar and a restaurant and a church which now houses the bells that once belonged to the church in i Romiti. There are also several other restaurants within a short drive and there is a large supermarket at Borgo Mezzano. There is a bus route to the edge of the property, fishing is good and, in the winter, there is skiing nearby. Once a year, in Aygust there is a commenerative festival where the local inhabitants march from i Romiti to Fabbriche.

Fabbriche di Vallico

First established as a hermitage probably in the 11th century, although possibly earlier, i Romiti is set on the edge of the old Roman road from Lucca to Luna which is now a mule track. It is almost certain that there was some form of stop-over hostel for Roman travellers, in particular the army, on this site.

The hamlet was incorporated by Pope Innocent IV into the Augustinian Order in 1254. Part of a Roman wall exists in the hamlet and several of the main structures date from the Roman period.

The buildings overlook a valley facing south and get full sunlight all day. They comprise 5 different freehold plots that have been acquired and combined into the one freehold that has been bought by i Romiti Ltd.

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The total land area is 6 hectares (60,000 sq meters) and the existing properties provide:
* The 12th century church which is to be converted to a gallery and art school;
* 1 principal house with 4 bedrooms;
* 1 principal house with 4 bedrooms;
* 2 houses with 3 bedrooms;
* 1 cottages with 2 bedrooms;
* 1 small cottage with 1 bedroom.
 

The hamlet is approached over a bridge by the newly restored chestnut mill that previously provided a living for the inhabitants. One of the buildings in i Romiti contains the pit in which the chestnuts were first roasted before being taken down to the mill to be ground into chestnut flour which is a gluten free alternative to wheat and other flours.

The land will be zoned as ‘urbano’ and outline planning permission has been given for 4 further new buildings at 100 square metres each.

The professional advisers:
* Bruno Fabbri is the Italian Commercialista (Chartered Accountant) who is advising on local VAT and tax matters;
* Derek Rothera & Company are the London Chartered Accountants who will deal with the accounting, UK tax & VAT for i Romiti Ltd;
* The Geometra (Structural Engineer, Architect & Conveyancer) is Frederico Campetti who has offices in Lucca, and considerable experience on similar  projects.
* Knott Architects are UK advisers.

Synopsis of the Plan
The concept is to restore the hamlet respecting its history and protecting its natural beauty whilst, as far as possible, making it ecologically efficient.  T he church is to be utilised as an art gallery and studio for the Spring and Autumn art courses.

The Ecological benefits will include solar panels, the use of the 2 natural water springs and wood from the sustainable forest and a swimming pond oxygenated by plant life. The Mayor of Fabbriche, representing the locality and Daniella Scarpa, head of planning, representing the State have both given their full support to the proposals. They are keen to see the site developed in a sympathetic manner with its history protected and with a strong cultural and art based momentum.

A swimming pond.

The land surrounding the hamlet is primarily sustainable forest and each house owner will be allocated a controlled number of trees to provide wood for their wood burning fires, pizza ovens, central heating etc and a re-planting programme will be adhered to.

The swimming pond will be acquired from a firm in Germany. This company supplies what are termed swimming ponds which are cleaned by the plants that grow around their edge. They require some maintenance but are ecologically sound and avoid the need for salt or chlorine.

There will be a service charge payable by each property owner towards the costs of maintaining the road, the car park, the common land and the swimming pond.

The four new properties for which outline planning has been granted will each be 80 sq meters and provide kitchen, living, bathroom, 2 bedrooms and a studio or 3rd bedroom.

Once the residences are completed work will begin on the conversion of the church which will provide a gallery/workshop for local artists and a Spring, Summer & Autumn Art School. Attendants at the school will be able to rent either the properties in the local village or on site.

During August and September 2006 the bridge will be renewed, the land prepared and the road repaired. This will be followed by the provision of an ecologically sound sewerage system for the community, the improvement of the existing electric and water supplies. Work will then begin on preparing the existing and building the new properties. The properties are scheduled to be ready for occupation between October 2007 and May 2008. The Swimming Pond is also expected to be completed by May 08.

Four properties have already been sold and there are 6 remaining properties including the 4 new properties which are currently available for sale on 999 year leases.

For further information please contact Derek Rothera at derek@millineryworks.co.uk

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