REAL ESTATE: From America to Tuscany: an ancient Abbey for sale, with a very special history

Have you ever thought of living in a historic Abbey, in the splendor of the Tuscan countryside? Now you have the chance to do so, thanks to the purchase of a stable from a wealthy American couple, who invested in Tuscany in the 2000s. Let's find out their story and that of the wonderful property.

In the Val d'Orcia, a stone's throw from San Quirico and Montalcino (Siena), in the heart of the Unesco park, the Manini Group offers, for sale, a splendid and evocative 11th-century abbey, completely renovated and transformed into a luxurious country mansion, suitable both as a residence and for periods of relaxation, away from the crowds.

The owners were two very special people. John Turner Sargent, now deceased, with his former wife, were two wealthy Americans who decided to invest in beautiful Tuscany, and bought the property in the 2000s. Sargent ran a company, Doubleday & Company staying on until 1985. Working in partnership with Nelson Doubleday Jr. , John supported the purchase of the Mets, a baseball team that was the Yankees' direct rival. In 1986, when Doubleday was sold to Bertelsmann, he moved on to be chairman of the company's executive committee.

Meanwhile, on December 21, 1985, Sargent remarried Elizabeth Nichols Kelly, the book and fiction editor of Cosmopolitan magazine. Elizabeth brought her two children into the marriage; Elizabeth Nichols Kelly is still living and will be the one to sell the property to you, to retire to a more age-appropriate location. You will access your new home, via a tree-lined driveway, which already hints at the specialness and uniqueness of the place. You only need to access the ground floor of the property to realize that this is not just a simple farmhouse but something original and authentic. The ground floor consists of a huge living area interspersed with antique brick columns and a vaulted brick ceiling: the exits to the garden give a beautiful light to the room, so much so that you have the feeling of being in a courtyard.

But that is not all. In addition to living room on the ground floor, we find, the kitchen and a bedroom with bathroom, and two other rooms used as laundry and technical room. The rest of the floor is used for sleeping area where we find 5 bedrooms with 3 bathrooms. The first room has a marble bathroom with bathtub, for your moments of relaxation, but also the practical shower, as well as a capacious walk-in closet. The second room is the largest with a travertine bathroom with bathtub and double sink, while the other rooms have a shared bathroom, both with bathtub and shower. For younger children or guests. The exterior of the house is equally impressive: in the park, we find a small chapel and an outbuilding, totally renovated with the best materials, consisting of two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a kitchen and a dining area with a large porch.  

Could a swimming pool have been missing? The pool is located in the best area of the property overlooking the historic center of Montalcino and is built with a special green marble. The pool is 12 by 9 meters, and is surrounded by rose bushes. Dulcis in fundo, the garden, where, in these times of restriction, you can spend "bonnes moments." It is a true work of art, a perfectly manicured Italian garden, conceived and designed by the famous garden designer Peter Curzon, a wonderful green space, with rosemary hedges and lavender bushes and flowers throughout the grounds. All in all, about 12 hectares in size, with olive trees and vineyard as well. Clearly, the property is fully lighted, for relaxing evening walks.

Can you already see yourself sipping a drink, admiring the Tuscan countryside?

Foto Gallery