Welcome to La Prunetina

Nestled on the slopes of Monte Giovi, overlooking the lush Mugello valley, La Prunetina is steeped in the layers of Tuscan history and beauty. Built around 1700, this villa sits in a landscape once revered by the Etruscans, who left traces of their temples and sanctuaries on these hills, where they observed the skies for omens. By the 12th century, the Torre di Monterotondo—a watchtower commissioned by the noble Guidi family—rose nearby to safeguard these lands, and later, the estate of the Lotteringhi Della Stufa family became a noble hunting retreat, adding to the area’s rich heritage.

The forests of chestnut, once used for tanning leather, have long provided resources to the local communities and, in more recent times, served as a refuge during World War II. After 1943, Monte Giovi became a gathering place for Tuscan partisans, whose efforts were closely supported by local villagers. Together, they turned the mountain into a symbol of resilience and solidarity.

My family reclaimed La Prunetina in the 1950s, and in 2008, we undertook a loving restoration. Today, La Prunetina offers a serene escape where visitors can wander through five acres of olive groves, inhale the fragrance of lavender fields, and observe honeybees at work amid the terraces. Horses graze peacefully on the land, capturing the timeless beauty and tranquility of Tuscany.