The Villa
Villa Perpoli has had a long and varied history. Famous in the area for being a school, a restaurant, a bar, and a location for parties and weddings, it was even a hideout during World War II and the home of the Bishop of Pisa. Abandoned for years, the current owners have restored the Villa to its original beauty while giving the Villa some modern comfort. Locals come from across the valley to knock on the doors and tell the owners of their own story that took place in the great hall, the cantina, or one of the many rooms.
While staying in historical Villa Perpoli, you will see remnants of its history at every turn. Ancient bar doors in the Cantina have been restored with a rustic luster. Bullet holes from World War II adorn the front door. Arrow slits, originally constructed in the outer walls of the building have been kept and transformed into windows. The accompanying building, once used as secondary living quarters now sits in a state of maintained ruin after being hit by bombs during the war. Who knows what treasures and stories lie beneath the ground. and arrow slits in the outer walls.
Although Villa Perpoli has seen many rough days throughout history, it currently is a warm and welcoming home, equipped with comfort and luxuries for your Italian getaway. Villa Perpoli totes a solar-heated swimming pool with views of the surrounding mountain ranges, centralized heating, three fireplaces, a balcony that stretches the length of the house, multiple hand-painted frescos, a full vegetable garden, and even an elevator for heavy bags or less physically abled guests. For a full list of amenities, click here.
With breathtaking landscapes from the privacy of home, to international fun and fare minutes away, Villa Perpoli is the ideal location to relax and enrich, for 2 - 25 people.
The Village
Located in the charming hilltop village of Perpoli (pronounced PAIR-poh-lee with a rolled "R”) is a town of 35 houses built in 1012, and at the center of local history, with spectacular views in every direction over northern Tuscany. Perpoli is the one of the oldest, most famous, and strategically located of Italy's hill towns and the 360° views from Perpoli are some of the very best views in the area. Perpoli is located in the heart of the green and mountainous Garfagnana, making it ideal for exploring hill towns, famous cities, beautiful rivers, stores, routes to all major Italian areas, and few tour buses without major crowds.
Enjoy the feel of the Italian countryside, get the authentic Italian experience, while being only 5 minutes from the bustling towns of Castelnuovo di Garfagnana and Barga, the entrance to Italy's most famous region, offering endless entertainment, shopping, dining, and annual international music festivals. Experience the oldest street market in Italy, hosted every Thursday, and pick up a bottle of hand-pressed olive oil or locally grown chestnut beer.
Perpoli is close to the ancient city of Lucca, but without the heat and crowds. Live in the cooler hills with the fabulous views and ancient villages. Go to Lucca in a half hour, Pisa in an hour, and Florence in 90 minutes. Read more about the surrounding areas here. Check out this article for more information on Lucca and the surrounding areas.
The Owners
Villa Perpoli is owned by our family of four from California. We have owned the property since 2005, but have spent excessive time in the area for decades. At one point it was our full-time home where at least one of us was there for the majority of the year. More recently it has been used as a summer home by our family and friends. These days we use it less, but it is still important to us to maintain the authenticity of the villa, our relationships with our neighbors, and our home in one of our favorite places on earth: Perpoli. Renting our our home allows us to maintain the property and share the area with others. We know you will love it as much as we do!