The swimming pool, Mazzaforte
Mazzaforte, looking south
Sunset above the Niccone valley
Copyright © 2007-2010 Mazzaforte.com
Welcome to the website for Mazzaforte, Italian country house in Umbria, close to the border with
Tuscany.  Located on a south-facing hill in the beautiful Niccone valley and near to the town of
Umbertide, the three buildings that make up this property command outstanding views over the
surrounding countryside.  For those wishing to combine a stay in a rental villa in a rural location with
visits to the many historic towns and cities close by, this is an ideal choice.  If you would like to know
more, please email us at
info@mazzaforte.com, or call us on (+39) 33134 28858.  Check out What's New
below for the latest news and developments.
Casa Mazzaforte
Sleeps 8+
MORE DETAILS
Casa Verde
Sleeps 4
MORE DETAILS
L'Essicatoio
Sleeps 2
MORE DETAILS
Casa Mazzaforte from the south west
Casa Mazzaforte
is about 400
years old.  The
three buildings
are close enough
together to
provide almost a
"village"
atmosphere.  As
well as the main
garden, both
Casa Verde and
L'Essicatoio have
their own private
gardens.
On the left of the main drive, Casa Verde, on the right, Casa Mazzaforte
Access to Mazzaforte is via a tarred road and literally minutes away from the house by car are some
excellent
LOCAL RESTAURANTS.  The nearest grocery shops to this self-catering property are 3km
(Niccone or Spedalicchio) and the closest supermarket is in
Umbertide, 8km.  All of the local towns hold
weekly markets.  Follow this link -
MARKET DAYS - to see when the markets are held.

If you would like to know when Mazzaforte, Casa Verde or L'Essicatoio is available to rent, please go to
BOOKINGS.  For more information about the three buildings, please go to PROPERTY DETAILS.  Through
this site you are dealing with the owners direct, so If you have any other questions, please do not
hesitate to
CONTACT US.
Three cypresses in front of L'Essicatoio
Casa Verde from the west
L'Essicatoio showing the large portico
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Mazzaforte country house rental in Italy
Casa Mazzaforte, seen from the garden
Food & Markets
Location
Availability
What's New?
Things to do
What's New - 26 January 2010
After three weeks of cold but relatively mild winter weather, this
morning we have some more snow.  Nothing too serious or that will
last, but it puts a stop to the leaf clearing in the garden for a day or
two.  All of the leaves from our big oaks have finally fallen in the last
two weeks and there's a rich carpet blanketing everything.  
Theodore, cock pheasant who thought he was a dog.  RIP
There's a whole new section on the website to explore, featuring
antique maps and prints for sale, mainly of West Africa, but also
covering other parts of the world .  All are absolutely original and
mostly date from the 17th and 18th centuries.  There are some
extraordinary items on offer.  Do take a look by going to
KNOWN
WORLD MAPS & PRINTS.   
Do take a look at some of the great places you'll be able to visit if you come to stay at Mazzaforte in the
SIGHTSEEING part of our site.  There are, of course, lots of other things to do nearby and if you let us
know in advance that you'd like to do a morning's Umbrian cookery course, or go horse riding through
the hills or take the kids whitewater rafting - we can book these and many other activities for you before
you arrive.  If you have a particular interest you'd like to pursue, drop us a line and we'll let you know
what can be arranged during your stay.
Theodore,R.I.P.
If you would like to see
some more pictures of
the garden, follow this
link:
GARDEN.  If you
are interested in renting
Mazzaforte, check
availability by going to
BOOKINGS.
The garden at Mazzaforte, July 2009
During July and
August we gained
two new additions
to the cast at
Mazzaforte, both
puppies from local
farms.  The two of
them proved to be
a tremendous hit
with our younger
guests over last
summer.
Mazza di tamburo
Mazza di tamburo
Since then, they've
grown quite a lot.
Our mystery
mushroom....Can
anyone identify it?
Two shots of
Lepiota Procera, or
mazza di tamburo -
a superb wild
mushroom growing
in the local hills that
we were enjoying
through November.
Between now and Easter, getting rid of
the leaves and keeping the gravel paths
clear of weeds are the main issues.  
Sauro, the all-knowing sage at Pollice
Verde - farming and gardening centre in
Umbertide - advises against osmotic
weedkillers whilst ever the temperature
remains below 10C, and recommends
using judicious amounts of salt instead.  
I'm not entirely convinced, but will
definitely experiment well away from the
hedges and trees.   
Here are some
pictures of new stone
borders being dug in
before Christmas.  
There are more to do
once the weather
improves, but
improbably, we're
running out of
stones!   
The ginestra (broom) growing either side
of the steps got a serious haircut in
December as well.  On the right, work in
progress clearing the triangle of land we
own below the track that leads to our
neighbour's house.  Currently completely
overgrown with brambles, we'll decide
what to do with it once it's cleared -
vegetables or chickens?