Silvignano - The house in Pigge (Casa Mascio)

Day one continued...
We finished the purchase of Casa Mascio during our stay in Silvignano and took possession before we left for the states. Restoration starts in September (pictures coming in Feb, 2000 of the work done to that point.)
The property is situated on the side of the hills to the east of the via Flaminia and the Spoletino valley affording some of the most spectacular views in Umbria. To the north, one can nearly see to Assis and to the south, on a clear day, one can see the Rocca in Spoleto. The nearest town, Trevi, is only a few miles to the north. The two buildings making up Casa Mascio are located in the middle of a 5 acre olive grove. There are no neighbors within view or earshot. One building will be for guests and while the main house (facing out to the valley) will be our residence. You can view other pictures of the house taken on the day we first saw it in Jan, 2000  here.  Use your browser's "back" button to return here.
The view driving up to the house from the north driveway
 

 
From the south looking north. These buildings have never been occupied in modern times. Their most recent use was as stables for farm animals. The buildings date from circa 1300.
 

 
We stopped to pick up Joanna, her parents, Maryann and George and a friend of theirs, Sarah and then drove up to our casa in Maccio, Trevi. It is better than we remembered but of course, it will need lots and lots of restoration. Work should start soon.
Here is a shot from above the house looking down on our estate - five full acres of olive trees, some of which are easily 1000 years old!

All of Umbria streches out below us.

 
Here is a better shot of the main building in the foreground and the soon-to-be guest quarters in the background.
After an hour or so of oogling the estate, the party sped of quickly in their autos to our favorite ristorante in the entire world, Trattoria Pallazacio on the via Flaminia just north of Spoleto (about five miles.) Do not fail to stop here for a meal - you will not be disappointed! Here we all are eating il nostro pranzo alfresco.

left to right

Maryann, Bruce, George, Sarah, Joanna (our heroine!) Mike, Ellen and Christiane.
On to page three of Day One of our Hyperdeluxe Italian Holiday...