The Lance Manor Castle -Romantic setting in Tuscany in Lucca

The Lance Manor Castle is a pretty small medieval castle built of mellow stone and set in
the tiny hilltop village of Lanciole building dating back to the 1500's - and which a
Ghibelline castle guard.The Manor is a picturesque 200 square metres small castle, just
restored to offer comfortable and warm hospitality, a XVI Century Castle with guard
function of three medieval little villages, located in front which lies in a very good and
strategic position between Lucca and Pistoia, in the hills to the north of Pescia and
Montecatini, in "Pesciatina Switzerland" so called for its woods and little nice medieval
villages all around. The village has a bar/pizzeria selling also few basic foodstuffs. In few
minutes driving you are in the main sightseeing towns: Florence 40/50 minutes, Pisa
25/30 minutes, Lucca 25/30 minutes, Siena and Arezzo 1 hour 15/20. It is also a
wonderful place to stay, (six hundred metres above sea level) with the opportunity of nice
walks in the surrounding woodland,horse riding, fishing, playing tennis orlazing on the
beach of Viareggio sea (40 minutes driving). The property is reached leading to a
delightful terrace which has outstanding views to the surrounding woodland and on the
villages in front. The entrance is through two sittingrooms each with a fireplace, stone
floors and terracotta beamed ceiling. In both sittingroom you will find a sofa, satellite TV,
dvd and cd player. Both 2 kitchens are fully furnished. Complete the property 4 double
bedrooms, in style and three full bathrooms, one 12 sq metres, composed by a shower
and a 1800 frech bathj completly restored. Furnishings throughout are tastefully rustic
with additional antique pieces. Central heating. This small castle is located in a fenced
park, where you will have your parking, back to the house, and all the privacy you need, at
easy distance from the village closer, (700 metres). 200 sq metres terrace in stone in front
with hot tub, barbeque, two patio with stone table and chairs to eat al fresco, garden
features and a pool (7mx4m).
Town and location of object
The Lance Manor Castle is a beautiful, small medieval castle built during 1500's. It is like a
fortress of guard for the the villages in the area. It was built of mellow stone and was a
Ghibelline's manor. It is set in a wonderful and dominant position,and is only 700 metres
from the village of Lanciole. The history tell us that the Ghibellines, who sided with the
holy roman Emperor, fought against the Guelphs who supported the Pope over the right to
rule the nothern part of Italy. In the Manor Castle there are two independent cottages the
Fairy and the Elf. The Village where the Manor is located lies in the hills to the north of
Pescia and Montecatini, a very picturesque area ideal for touring or relaxing in delightful
surroundings. The Castle itself is perfectly restored, conserving the old characteristics but
with all the comfort, so you will feel really "at home". The Manor Castle sits on an hill and
it's surrounded by miles of woodland where you can enjoy long walks and the whole area
is a patchwork of medieval hilltop villages which are all worth a visit. Lanciole, though tiny,
has a bar/pizzeria which also sells a few basic foodstuffs. In ancient times the village was
known to have produced "lancia" or spears and other arms.Many legends and tales have
been said of the manor castle, what the knights made, the hunting, the battle for the
supremacy on the guelphs villages... and did find a code invented to manage the work of
the people in the villages of the area. The area makes a good base for touring being within
easy driving distance of many famous places including Lucca, Pisa, Pistoia and Florence.
Once upon a time on a hill between Lucca and Pistoia a village was born ,its name derived
from the utensils that the inhabitants produced daily,lances. Lanciole is the smallest castle
in the area, of Longobard origins it was built on the border of the domain of Lucca. In the
upper part of the village you can see the church,rebuilt before 1638,it lost its romanesque
characteristic features and adopted the baroque style. Near the church a defense core
developed of which today you can see the guard tower transformed into the present day
bell tower,and you have to imagine another tower below the village ,collapsed during the
first world war now only a ruin. One of the buildings situated opposite the church, for its
size and for the presence of the verandah with its well preserved sail shaped verandah
stones,which faces the valley was the most important house. The castle of Lanciole was
mentioned as early as 1382 in a list of castles in the area. CASTRUM LANCIULIS, CUM
MURIS MERLATIS UNDIQUE CUM ECCLESIA, SUPER QUA EST FORTILITIA IN QUA MORATUR
CAPITANEUS

Amenities
Private pool, jacuzzi, barbecue, terrace, fireplaces, jacuzzi for 6 people on the terrace. fenced
park

Activities in the Area
Tennis, skiing, dining and shopping nearby museum too, riding horse
at ten minutes by car, golfing, fishing. Public transportation
available.

Current Rates for the Tale property the depandance for two people/three people with private jacuzzi
and fenced garden (2 people)
January to April 2009: Euro 350/week
May: 400 euro/week -June and september 2009: Euro 450/week
July-August 2009: Euro 500/week
Ocotber to December 22/2009: Euro 350/week
Christmas holidays: Euro 400/week
Current price for the full castle (9 people maximum)
January to April 2009: Euro 950/week
May-June and september 2009: Euro 1150/week
July-August 2009: Euro 1350/week
October to December 22/2009: Euro 950/week
Christmas holidays: Euro 1150/week
Services Offered Final/weekly cleaning, bed bath and kitchen linens,
a welcome pack (oil, sugar, salt, milk, pasta.....), and I will
greet to you at your arrival a bowl of fruit, a red wine
bottle made in the zone and the necessary to your first breakfast at the Lance Castle
included in the price.