House buy in Arcetri Tuscany

in the renowned area of Poggio imperiale, not far from the Villa Medicea and about 4 km from the international School of Florence, restored portion of historic villa with swimming pool. The property (460 sqm) features five bedrooms, a private gym and large living areas with original decorations and frescoes. Outside, the garden (880 sqm) houses the 10 × 3 m swimming pool and an elegant fountain designed by architect Bernardo Buontalenti in the 16th century. Services are all available nearby (about 1 km; 2' by car), and the historic center of Florence is easily reached from Porta Romana (2km; 5'). Leaving Florence, many of Tuscany's historic towns are just over an hour's drive away (San Casciano in Val di Pesa, Castellina in Chianti, San Gimignano, Monteriggioni, Siena...). The sea (Viareggio, Forte dei Marmi) is also just over an hour's drive away. The house (460 sqm - 4,950 sqft) is part of a larger villa, of which it occupies about half the volume. The building dates back to the 15th century, when it was built as a convent. Over the centuries, the religious function gave way to a residential one, and the villa was then divided internally into several units. The restoration of the building has made it possible to retain most of its original features, including the beautiful vaulted ceilings, stone fireplaces and frescoes that have been preserved and restored where necessary, taking inspiration from Buontalenti's outdoor fountain. FLOOR PLANS OF THE ViLLA Entering the ground floor one finds a large living area, divided into three very bright rooms. At one end is the service bathroom and a laundry room. On the opposite side of the building, on the other hand, you reach the stairwell (with storage room and elevator), the kitchen with pantry and the dining room with exit to the garden. Descending the staircase, one enters what were once the villa's cellars, now converted into a private gym/fitness area with guest bedroom and en-suite bathroom. The basement rooms feature distinctive exposed masonry vaults that allow one to recognize the rooms' original use as cellars and storerooms. Ascending from the ground floor, on the other hand, one reaches halfway up the stairs a bedroom with en-suite bathroom. Going further up one then reaches the first floor, characterized by stately and elegant rooms. From the hallway (which is also reached by elevator) one has access on one side to a bedroom with private bathroom and walk-in closet, and on the other to a living room with fireplace. From here one then passes through a hallway (equipped with two large built-in closets) to reach the master bedroom complete with large en-suite bathroom and exclusive walk-in closet. From the living room one can also climb a staircase to the attic where the last bedroom with bathroom and walk-in closet is located. The villa's walled and very private garden (880 sqm - 9,469 sqft) still contains the fountain designed by architect Bernardo Buontalenti in the 1680s, inspired by old Roman nymphaea and flanked by two marble busts. The masterpiece sits on the edge of the 10 × 3 m swimming pool, paved with dark stone and surrounded by a white stone solarium that does not get hot in the sun. At the exit of the building, on the paved terrace leading to the pool, there is also a convenient pergola with a large table, summer kitchen and BBQ area. Also in the well-maintained garden, crossed by stone paths, is a large Catalpa plant that in the various seasons decorates the property with ever-changing colors. The remaining part property (1,661 sqm - 17,872 sqft), also enclosed by a wall and closed by an automatic gate, consists of a large lawn with two parking areas (one at the entrance and one close to the garden) connected by a dirt driveway. The lawn is planted with ornamental shrubs and flowers and enclosed by a hedge at the rear that provides security and privacy. Next to the parking lot is a ping-pong table and, not far away, a shaded bocce court in which to play in summer.