Lobby
Not far from the Villa and the Limonaia is the Calessi Room, originally a store for carriages and coaches, and now a comfortable room for meetings and courses: a perfect combination of work programs with a pleasant stay guaranteed to promote well being. The naturally lit room measures 12 x 4 metres and can be arranged as a 40 seat lecture room, as a 24 desk class room + 3 teacher seats, or as a 24 seat board room. The room is equipped with a suspended projector, large electronically closable screen, computer with DVD, stereo sound system with subwoofer, satellite television, wireless and high speed Internet access, white board, flip chart, air conditioning and heating. Assistance, secretarial and interpreting services are available on request. Special fittings for product presentations or specific needs. Wide range of excursions, tastings and events available on request. The room can be used for a Day Meeting with amenities, coffee breaks and restaurant service or for Full Day Meetings with Hotel service for one or more days. Further rooms are available for work groups in the various buildings on the estate
Exterior
"Monte Solare" is the highest elevation of several hills surrounding lake Trasimeno. However, its importance is without doubt based on its century old historical meaning rather than on its geographical properties and condition. The toponym Monte Solare derives from the mountain’s consecration to the sun, or better the Sun God or “Sol Invictus”. In the middle of the 1990s, following an archaeological excavation led by Maria Cristina De Angelis, evidence of anthropic presence on the mountain dating back at least to the 12th century BC could finally be ascertained. In particular on the summit there are wall fragments i.a., which are supposed to have been utilized for cultural and religious purposes. In Etruscan times, a metal-headed obelisk was located on top of Monte Solare around the 8th century BC. In fact, it was an impressive sundial with inscriptions and embossments on the four sides corresponding to the cardinal points. After being concealed for twenty centuries in a monastery of a town near by, the obelisk was rediscovered in 1642. Here, the stone component can still be visited today, while the metallic pinnacle is kept by and exhibited at the ”Museo della Civilta Etrusca”, the Etruscan Museum in Rome. Located on the summit of a imaginary triangle, the obelisk was well visible from the surrounding area. The triangle is positioned on a north-south-axis, while the vertex in the north is represented by the “Colle Montalera”, with the homonymous castle, who’s place name derives from the Greek goddess “Hera”, or else the Roman “Juno”. The vertex in the south is corresponding to the “Colle di Mongiovino” (Jupiter’s Mountain), or else” Mons Iovis”, consecrated to “Giove” (Roman divinity Jupiter) or the Greek “Zeus”. In Roman times place names were frequently attributing to the Greek and Roman mythology. In fact the valley located beneath the southern flank of Monte Solare has been given the name “Muserale” or valley of the muses, recalling on the myth of “Apollo”, as per Greek mythology god of light and the sun. According to the legend while descending from Monte Solare, he found himself in the valley surrounded by the nine divine daughters of “Zeus” and “Mnemosine” or Armonia (daughter of “Uranos” or heaven and “Gaia” or earth). Here, Apollo is supposed to having been enchanted by the fine arts of the muses at a refreshing well. Findings at the Renaissance Sanctuary of “Santa Maria di Mongiovino”, located on top of the vale and dating back to the epoch of Paganism and early Christianity, confirm the positive spiritual energies of this place and its surrounding area. Villa di Monte Solare is situated half way up the mountain, at 406 meters MSL and has its origins in the 15th century AD. The beautiful 16th century chapel, that can be found in the gardens of the Villa, is consecrated to Santa Lucia. It is being mentioned in chronicles of Perugia which date back to the first decade of the 17th century. In deed, most of the properties’ buildings can be identified to generate from the first half of the 17th century. The described place names, foremost that of “Monte Solaro” appear on ancient maps, today in possession of the bishops archive in Perugia. The history of Villa di Monte Solare can be traced in detail from 1730, primarily through the succession of proprietors of the Villa: from “Don Lorenzo Cagnoni” to the current owners, Filippo and Rosemarie Iannarone. The Villa was not only residency of aristocratic families but also administrative centre of an agricultural activity in these last three centuries. In 1857 the premises changed hands from “Count Mancini di Panicale” to “Count Antonini di Sellano”, and subsequently to that of the family “Giommaroni Cherubini” due to financial difficulties. They were originally from the area of Marsciano and the Villa remained in their possession for about one century, almost until the end of the 20th century when their last heir passed away. The Villa resembles the typical architectural design of the 18th century, just like the coeval “Limonaia”, which is located close by and the layout of the grounds with the “giardino formale all Italiana” (formal Italian garden), the “giardino segreto” (secret garden) and the “giardini di caccia” (hunting grounds). The latter’s appeal lies in its botanical diversity but generates above all from the “roccolo” once used for fowling and who’s remains are well-visible still today. The Giommaroni Cherubini family has amended important changes to the agricultural activity and layout of the grounds including improvement of the water supply system, introduction and extensification of viticulture and cultivation of numerous mulberry trees, who’s delicious fruit are suitable for consumption and its leafs were forage for a silkworm breeding. However, they have not neglected to cultivate and crop the existing centuries old olive grove, which has been listed amongst historic olive groves in Umbria.
Rooms
Situated in the Villa, Olivaia and Olivi they are made up of a spacious bed room with double bed or two single beds and a comfortable reading area with armchairs and a bathroom. All rooms offer a high degree of comfort and provides for beautiful traditional fabrics from Montefalco, mini-bar, safe, room entertainment system by “Quadriga” with digital TV on 32’’ high-resolution flat screens, music- and video-on-demand, high speed and wireless internet access, telephone with direct external line, air conditioning and heating. The bathrooms have either bath tub or shower, a hairdryer and a magnifying mirror. All our rooms are non-smoking.
Restaurant
Villa di Monte Solare has been catering for food which is geared to regional cuisine since 1989. This traditional Umbrian-Tuscan cuisine is prepared with natural organic ingredients with the greatest respect for the origins of Italian cuisine in general. The particular attention to the local territory coupled with the observance of seasonal variations and the produce of the soil allow a cuisine particularly rich in variety and recipes, occasionally updated with imagination and creativity. The restaurant provides for à la carte service for lunch and dinner. Special attention is paid to guests’ personal dietary requirements: specific dishes for vegetarians, particular ingredients for gluten-free, and dietary variations for food intolerances. The chef, Nicola Fanfano, born in Panicale, with a diploma from the Scuola Alberghiera di Chiusi (Siena), began his career at Villa di Monte Solare in 1999 and went on, with talent and hard work, to become head chef of the Restaurant in 2005: he is passionate about the area and its produce and prepares his dishes each day with loving culinary dedication.
Location
In the heart of Italy, between Umbria and Tuscany, Trasimeno Lake is surrounded by rolling hills: the most important of these is Monte Solare, famous since ancient times for its Sun worshipping cult. Here in the green of the olives, vines and woods an ancient patrician villa and its centuries old farmhouses were converted into a luxury hotel in 1989. Since then, under the custody of the owners Filippo and Rosi Iannarone, Villa di Monte Solare has offered its guests charm and tranquillity together with courtesy and distinction.
