ACCOMMODATION

Spotlight Property

Life in Umbria is proud to spotlight

La Preghiera Country House Estates

www.lapreghiera.com

A luxury guest house in Umbria, La Preghiera, originally a 12th Century monastery, is an historic house which has been restored to an elegant country house estate offering bed and breakfast accommodation near Perugia, Gubbio, Assisi and Città di Castello.

In the heart of the Umbrian countryside, this luxury bed and breakfast guest house is only a short drive away from Perugia, the ancient medieval capital of Umbria. Not a hotel, La Preghiera country house provides sumptuous accommodation for a holiday in Umbria, the centre of Italy.

The floors are tiled with terracotta, there are huge oak and chestnut beams throughout the house and stone fireplaces, and each of the eleven bedrooms has an en-suite marble clad bathroom. The furniture has been carefully chosen and each room is different, with hand-made painted tables, elegant chairs and antique wardrobes and dressing tables.

Walk along the sunlit upper loggia and enter the cozy reception area of La Preghiera. Relax in the large and comfortable sitting room, take breakfast or dinner in the elegant dining room, enjoy a game of billiards or browse through the books in the mezzanine library. Stroll through the elegant gardens or rest by the eco-friendly swimming pool.

La Preghiera, situated on a quiet road just outside the village of Calzolaro, is the home of John and Liliana Tunstill and their guests are welcome by application. They always look forward to the pleasure of welcoming guests to La Preghiera, and greeting you as ... a friend that they haven't yet met.

"A stranger is a friend as yet unmet" is an old Umbrian proverb. This philosophy guides La Preghiera. The best traditions of the better country houses transported to the gentle hills of Umbria, La Preghiera offers our guests comfortable, elegant and sophisticated country-house hospitality.

With more than 800 years of history, La Preghiera was once a monastic complex belonging to the Mont'Ulivetani di Gubbio Friars, dating back to the late 1100's. Restored and converted to a luxury country house estate by owners Liliana Richardson de Tunstill and her husband John, the main house, adjacent cottage and private chapel nestle in several acres of landscaped gardens with views over beautiful countryside and woodlands.

The Chapel: The private stone and brick faced Oratorio at La Preghiera is bright in daylight with its domed pastel cream and pietra serena stone finish. At night, illuminated by candle light from the ancient brass wall sconces and silver candelabra a cosy, welcoming and magical effect is created. Ocassionally an a cappella choir sings here or a harpist comes to play and the chapel comes alive with music…

La Preghiera offers a peaceful and tranquil respite from the cares of everyday life, a haven of beauty in the midst of a minor architectural masterpiece. If you have discriminating taste, La Preghiera is the place for you. Contact Liliana or Sally Ann to experience Umbria and the luxury of La Preghiera.