NEW CLIENT ALERT: TENUTA DI MURLO
Tenuta di Murlo, Umbria
We are thrilled to announce our newest client: Tenuta di Murlo!
The sprawling, centuries-old Umbrian estate is steeped in history and spans an expansive 18,000 acres (for context, Manhattan is 14,600 acres). Murlo has been cared for by the Carabba Tettamanti family for over 300 years and has remained peacefully unchanged, with the exception of the meticulous transformation of nine rustic farm houses into beautifully appointed private villas, alongside a central guest area with three deluxe rooms, an intimate restaurant (Il Caldaro), an artisan shop, and a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen.
What sets Tenuta di Murlo apart?
Unlike other castles-turned-hotels in the area, Murlo feels vast and private. Its acreage is unmatched (it is one of Italy’s oldest and largest family-owned estates), and those seeking a castle experience need not share with other guests. 11th-century Castiglione Ugolino sits on a hilltop with 10 bedrooms, a pool, and even a private chapel. For a more intimate setting, two-bedroom Molinella has a secret, subterranean jacuzzi below the living room in the former vaulted basin of the 13th century water mill. Murlo’s trails can provide full days of hiking, horseback riding, or biking, or even driving around for what they call, “the Murlo safari.” In warmer months, the natural pools created by the Molinella river, a tributary of the Tiber, offer a secluded spot for a dip.
Activities
While the villas offer total seclusion, the estate is a hive of activity.
Forage & Hunt: Resident beekeeper lets guests join him to harvest honey, while the estate’s charming Lagotto Romagnolo truffle dog, Artù, leads the charge into the woods to find truffles (year round).
Culinary Arts: The new demonstration kitchen hosts masterclasses in handmade pasta, pizza, and regional specialties like Cinghiale in Umido (wild boar stew) and Torta al Testo.
The Harvest: In the fall, guests are invited to participate in the vendemmia (grape harvest), picking grapes in the day and celebrating the work with traditional family-style feasts in the vineyards in the evening.
Get in a round: Golf enthusiasts can get in a round or two next door at the Antognolla course.
Accommodations
Deluxe Rooms
Murlo’s three entry-level Deluxe Rooms sit in the main hub of the property and are a great option for a weekend couples’ getaway. Breakfast is served daily in the Orangerie, and there is a 60-foot-pool and jacuzzi, as well as beautiful gardens all around.
Villas
The nine villas range from two-bedroom Molinella to 10-bedroom Castiglione Ugolino. Each is completely private with a pool and uninterrupted views of the hilly countryside. Guests enjoy the flexibility of self-catering, having Il Caldaro deliver meals, or booking a private chef. Each has its own charm, from Penna’s dreamy stone pool house to the romance of Torre, built on the ruins of a medieval defensive tower.
Why Umbria?
Known as the “Green Heart of Italy,” Umbria is Tuscany’s lesser known cousin (with Tuscany receiving seven times as many tourists annually). Each of its little towns has something special - Norcia is known pork products and charcuterie (called norcineria); Deruta for its ceramics; Assisi for its Basilica of St. Francis; and Spello for its Infiorata di Spello where locals create intricate carpets and pictures in the streets from fresh flower petals.
History + Ownership
Tenuta di Murlo’s origins go back over two millennia to the Murlo Cerchiaia, a mountain-top fortification within the Estate dating to proto-historic times. One can also spot Murlo on centuries-old maps in the Vatican’s Galleria delle Carte Geografiche (Gallery of Maps). It is now under the stewardship of Carlotta and Alessio Carabba Tettamanti who have carefully and thoughtfully turned their sprawling family estate into the intimate collection of villas it is today. Alessio, a lawyer from Rome, and Carlotta, originally from Bologna, began restoring the historic farmsteads on the property one by one, starting with a former 14th-century church turned four-bedroom villa with incredible views. Carlotta travels around Italy and Europe sourcing beautiful fabrics and furniture pieces to create the warm and seemingly effortlessly chic interiors of each villa.
Getting there
The nearest international airports are Rome and Florence. Guests can rent a car and drive themselves, or Murlo can arrange private transfers. Guests can also take the train to nearby Perugia, a 20-minute drive from the estate.