La Ripa
The La Ripa restoration project is an Italian-American collaboration. It all started when a group of American investors fell in love with the estate and its rich history. Exciting surprises and unexpected discoveries - like the wine cellar in the main villa, walls with original stones, buried oil jars, and ancient granaries - all made the prospect of this restoration even more fascinating.
Budget
AllocatedTotal land size
50 hectares (123.5 acres)Total area of the structures
2158 m2 (23,228.5 square feet)Year built
1500-1700Location
San Gimignano, ITFamily homes
6Bedrooms
14Bathrooms
18Outdoor swimming pools
2Indoor pool
1Spa area
1Wine cellar
1Recharging stations
2Parking places
27More information
A complex steeped in history
The estate features a complex of 6 restored ancient farmhouses, fragrant gardens, and 2 large swimming pools where you can relax and spend quality time. 26 people can comfortably enjoy the property with spacious bedrooms and one of a kind views.
Each building has its own story that dates back in time, from old traugh restored where the animals ate in the early 1900’s, to the old granaries in the main Villa that date back to the 1600.
At La Ripa people breathe history from every corner imagining how life was for the peasants who lived there, the aristocrats, and more recently the soldiers during WW2.
The refurbishment aimed at the harmony between modern comforts and the particular historical style of the context, to make you live the experience of an exclusive place.
La Ripa has a rich history spanning hundreds of years.
La Ripa has a rich history spanning hundreds of years. The main villa was constructed over the course of centuries. The subterranean caves which were eventually employed as wine storage facilities date to the
16th or 17th century. Later, the main villa was constructed on the ruins. A series of farmhouses and barns (colonica) were erected in the 18th and 19th centuries.
The entire site fell into disrepair in the early 20th century, only to be occupied in World War II by German forces in their flight from Sicily. General Mark Clark's Fifth Army then attacked the promontory in
1944 as it ventured north to Florence. The Germans scattered across the farmland to the rear of the compound, eventually crossing the river and blowing up the bridges in their rear.
To this date, the Italian government commemorates the defeat of the Germans with a fireworks display each summer in the fields behind the La Ripa vineyards.
Ripa has always lived according to the rhythms of the surrounding nature. In fact, the estate also includes woods, hills and green lands that extend into the wonderful area of the Val d’Elsa. This will be your private paradise in Tuscany, where you can get to know nature and its fruits up close
The project was developed over several years and began with the restoration of the Main Villa, the Stable and the small barn that was carefully and meticulously rebuilt. During the second stage, two other buildings were completed and a third phase involved the restoration of the historical park and all the outdoor structures, including the swimming pools, parking areas and driveways.
