THE HISTORY



Located in the hamlet named Monti, likely of etruscan origin, it

certainly dates back to at least the Xth century: in the year 929 Ugo, King

of Italy, gave the site, then called Monte della Torre, to Adelardo III,

bishop of Volterra. Then it belonged to the Marquis Ugo of Tuscany, who

assigned it to the abbey of S. Michele in Poggibonsi. During the middle age

it belonged to

a very important San Gimignano family and then probably it was a templar

site.At the beginning of

XVIth century Monti became a sumptuous villa of the noble Cortesi family,

and a centre of humanistic studies, by the name of Castrum Cortesianum. Here

the prelate Paolo Cortesi, secretary of the pope Giulio II°, collected

together many scholars of that times and it was here also that he wrote and

had printed by the famous copperplate

engraver Simone Nardi, called The Red, his precious work "De Cardinalatu",

which he dedicated to the pope and of which only five copies remain in the

world.

At the end of 1700 there still remained traces of the great castle walls,

with gates and keeps, and the

rudiments of underground road which united Monti with S. Gimignano; the last

gate in stone was pulled down at the beginning of XXth century. Today Monti

is a charming rural hamlet, which keeps alive the architectural imprints of

the past.



TODAY



Just 5 km away the centre of the amazing town of S.Gimignano (

included in the UNESCO world cultural and natural heritage because it is the

sole testimony of medieval turreted town on the world ), situated on a

hilltop that allows a 360° panoramic view including San



Gimignano's unique skyline of towers, Fortezza de' Cortesi is a charming medieval historic country-side villa

sorrounded by the spectacular famous tuscan scenery of cypresses, oaks,

olives, woods. It is the ideal setting for those who are looking for a

special, exclusive and relaxing holiday and desire to experience the

best of Tuscany without loosing culture, art, history and gastronomy. Ideal

point of departure for day trips to the cities of all central Italy and the

perfect base to return after excursions into the countryside with its

treasures.



Furnished with genuine antiques and Tuscan handcrafted furniture, Fortezza de' Cortesi has draped beds with curtains in harmony with the wall colours,

luxury fabrics (sofas, curtains and beds of the villa are upholstered with

the exquisite fabrics of the renowned Rubelli brand), precious carpets,

paintings and family treasures or heirlooms acquired through diligent

research. The floors and ceilings are made up of antique handmade tiles and

chestnut beams. The arched ceilings and the fine fireplaces all suggest the

idea that time stands still.



The gorgeous "Cortesiana Suite," (65 sq. metres) enjoys the privacy of the entire

tower and is exclusively for two people. It is composed by a large sitting

room with a relaxing fireplace, a delightful little kitchen (that isn't for cooking,

but only to make tea or coffee), a welcoming queen-bedded bedroom and a very

peculiar bathroom with a Devon bathtub and shower stall. As in the case of the

"Cortesiana Suite," the remaining, comfortable 5 bedrooms (2 twin-bedded

[joinable] and 3 queen-bedded) look upon the enchanting view of the

surrounding "colline toscane" (Tuscan hills) and medieval towers. All rooms, each different from the other, have different colours and they are

also carefully furnished with genuine antiques and precious fabrics, and

are provided with elegant private ensuite bathrooms with wall-attached hairdryers,

air conditioning/heating units, window screens and safes. On the upper level

you will find 3 queen-sized bedrooms named "Preziosa," "Fina" and

"Smeralda." "Belviso," the fourth room, is twin-bedded and joinable. The

"Sigerio Room," which also offers 2 single beds that can be joined, is located on the lower level. It is accessible to handicapped people, and its convenient location makes it suitable for people with special needs.



The villa includes a big, fully-equipped kitchen which is furnished with an

American coffee maker, toaster, micro-wave, refrigerator, stove-oven,

dishwasher, iron and ironing board. You can feel the same cosy atmosphere

in all the common areas: in the sitting room, where you can chat or watch

satellite TV/DVD; in the small, private and peaceful study, where you can

read, access the internet with your own PC and in the

spacious living/dining room with its suggestive medieval fireplace. At the ground

floor there is also another common bathroom (there are a total of 7

bathrooms in the villa).



There is a beautiful garden with a gazebo in the property, supplied with a

table and chairs, so that you can use it as an additional dining area during

the high season and admire the panorama with its typical cypress trees.

There is a 6 x 12 metre swimming-pool (seasonally open from the end of May to

September, inclusive) which is near the olive grove and surrounded by a

lavender hedge. It is equipped with patio furniture to sunbathe and a

pergola that offers abundant shade and the possibility to spend pleasant cool moments.



The villa is ideal for bird watching and trekking. In its vicinity you can play tennis or golf ( only 15 minutes by car from the villa), go for thermal bath, go horseback riding or go for long walks in the extensive walking trails. For golf and thermes, special conditions are reserved to the Fortezza's guests. The property produces the precious saffron "purissimo zafferano DOP di San Gimignano" (the saffron of this area is considered one of the best in the world), extra virgin olive oil, vegetables, aromatic herbs and cereals. Owners live next door ( but guests' privacy is assured by the disposition of the two houses) and they

are at total disposal for any requests.They personally offer to their guests a welcome aperitif with San Gimignano typical vernaccia wine and snacks of salami and tuscan cheese; at the arrival clients also

will be also welcomed in the kitchen with a complimentary basket containing some

useful kitchen items and will find complimentary toiletries.

(this one is only a first welcome service; obviously, during their stay, it

will be guests business to supply all they need for them and for the house).

To facilitate and enrich the stay of its guests, Fortezza de' Cortesi has

also arranged very interesting special additional services on request.

Season	Daily	Weekly	Monthly	Minimum Days
Low Season	0 $	8900 $	0 $	7 Days
High Season	0 $	10400 $	0 $	7 Days