I Romiti del Torrente is a unique accommodation and artistic retreat within a converted 13th-century Augustinian monastery. Sustainability and respect for the land and it’s people are at the heart of the restoration and running of this special location. Situated high above the river Turrite in the Garfagnana, Tuscany’s mountainous northern province, it is a place to find creative inspiration, and well-being in a valley of natural beauty.
Exclusive rental of I Romiti includes accommodation for up to 18 people on either a self-catering basis or a private chef can be provided for one-off or daily meals. Special art, language, and cooking classes can be booked, as well as wine tours, massage treatments, yoga, trekking and cycling tours. There is a working pottery on site and workshops can be organised for most age groups.
I Romiti has eight bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms. The library sitting room in the mezzanine of the church offers a perfect spot for relaxing with a book or enjoying an evening cinema screening. Our flexible accommodation includes double, twin and triple occupancy rooms, each with an en-suite shower/bathroom. Two of the rooms can be connected for use as a family suite. All are wifi enabled. There is one studio apartment with cooking facilities and a private sun terrace. Cots are available on request. The east-west orientation of the building and internal shutters keep the rooms cool even in the height of the summer, and no air conditioning is necessary.
The chapel at I Romiti provides a unique and atmospheric setting for events including weddings, concerts, conferences, dinners, and parties. The origins of I Romiti del Torrente can be traced back to Roman times, when it is thought to have served as a fortified watch post for the Roman army. Its strategic position and perfect orientation for cultivation of crops secured it’s future existence of a very different nature. In 1214 the people of neighbouring Trassilico gifted the fertile lands and buildings known then as l‘Eremo di San Galgano to the hermits who had taken up residence there. Among their number, Fra Stefano became a founding member of the Tuscan hermits, which later become the Order of Saint Augustine. The monks built an imposing church to serve the local community and the monastery thrived for more than two centuries.
By the 20th century, Italian laws of succession had resulted in divisions in the ownership of church, land and buildings. The church was de-consecrated and war and depopulation of the area saw a decline and eventual abandonment of the once thriving hamlet. The restoration of I Romiti which started in 2011 has been undertaken by local craftsmen using local materials and with painstaking attention to the preservation of the historic fabric. Sustainability has been at the heart of the approach: the mountain spring from which the monks drew their water and irrigated their crops still provides the water supply, and state of the art energy and waste management systems ensure minimal impact on the environment.
I Romiti stands at the end of a private road within its own grounds, surrounded by a chestnut forest. It is accessible by most cars but not recommended for low clearance models- there is a large private car park just below us at the beginning of the road.
The gardens are simply landscaped with kitchen herbs, lavender, bay and olive trees . Stone terraces offer secluded spaces to eat outside. There is a restored stone bread and pizza oven for guests to try their hand at pizza making.
The salt water infinity pool filled with mineral water from our own mountain source- the Aqua benedotto which once filled the monumental stone font which rests outside the chapel. There are open views across the valley to the South and upwards to the next ridge where deer will often make their way down to the river bed below.
