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Torre di Moravola is managed by Seonaid, the Owner.
To check availability and to get the best possible price, contact Seonaid here:
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Your gift when booking with us:
Complimentary room upgrade *
— Seonaid: “We chose the tower because of the views and its history. There’s something incredibly dramatic about the place. We knew within five minutes that it was the place.”
Interview By: Welcome Beyond
— Please tell us a bit about your Torre di Moravola please.
Seonaid: “Although we’re only 10 minutes from the nearest village called Montone, which is picturesque and stunning, we’re off the beaten track. You really have the sense that you’re in the middle of nowhere. You’re surrounded by hidden valleys, so you can’t hear the sounds of cars and there’s no one around, so you feel as if you’re back in Medieval times with only the sounds of nature.
It reawakens the senses and offers a healing effect. I’ve seen it change some of our guests in a matter of days. They come from big cities very irate and angry, and within about three days, they’re quite happy, coming into the kitchen making cocktails and singing opera.”
It reawakens the senses and offers a healing effect. I’ve seen it change some of our guests in a matter of days. They come from big cities very irate and angry, and within about three days, they’re quite happy, coming into the kitchen making cocktails and singing opera.”
— Torre di Moravola pool area
— What was your inspiration to buy this tower and open it to the public?
Seonaid: “Christopher and I both had enough of working for other people. I remember we saw a Destination Architecture article about turning an old building into something that was very contemporary. We thought the idea was beautiful.
We began looking in Tuscany, which we didn’t like — it was far too British and too commercialized. We stumbled upon Perugia, drove around and saw literally hundreds of buildings.
We chose the tower because of the views and its history. There’s something incredibly dramatic about the place. We knew within five minutes that it was the place.
We didn’t realize how much work it would take to clean it up however. We were rather naïve about that. It was a ruin with trees growing out of the center. There was no water or gas or electricity. Nothing. It took us five years to restore the building.”
We began looking in Tuscany, which we didn’t like — it was far too British and too commercialized. We stumbled upon Perugia, drove around and saw literally hundreds of buildings.
We chose the tower because of the views and its history. There’s something incredibly dramatic about the place. We knew within five minutes that it was the place.
We didn’t realize how much work it would take to clean it up however. We were rather naïve about that. It was a ruin with trees growing out of the center. There was no water or gas or electricity. Nothing. It took us five years to restore the building.”
—
— How would you describe the style of the architecture?
Seonaid: “We couldn’t change the size of the windows or do anything that was going to interfere with the outside, except the terraces and the pool, so we created a minimal but comfortable interior, which contrasted against the style of the tower. The most important thing to us was maintaining the stonemanship. We wanted the stones to speak for themselves so the signatures of the builders from the 10th, 11th, and 12th centuries are still there. It’s a winning combination that works very well.”
—
— Please tell us a bit about the rooms and the facilities at Moravola.
Seonaid: “Apart from the seven suites, we have a huge terrace with lots of space all around. There are two large sitting rooms with ancient fireplaces — one is from the 12th century and the other contains our modern interpretation of that. There’s a dining room but most of the time we eat on the terrace, or set up tables in the olive grove or by the pool. We also have a massage room by the pool where we offer yoga and Pilates.
If people are here for romance, they can have privacy in specific pavilions we set up. We ask the guests what they would like and we work it out. It’s very laid back and quite casual, but in a professional kind of way.”
If people are here for romance, they can have privacy in specific pavilions we set up. We ask the guests what they would like and we work it out. It’s very laid back and quite casual, but in a professional kind of way.”
— Fountain and view at dusk
— Please tell us a bit about the food you serve.
Seonaid: “Our food here at Torre di Moravola follows the localvore philosophy. We have a huge vegetable garden and our meat is all organic. The menus are reinterpreted Italian and Umbrian dishes, but the quality is extremely high. We are fortunate to have a couple of really good chefs.
At the end of October and in November we have truffle season around here and people come from all over — Japan, Australia, America — to experience the festivities.”
At the end of October and in November we have truffle season around here and people come from all over — Japan, Australia, America — to experience the festivities.”
— Common lounge
Seonaid's favourites:
Torre di Moravola
Transportation
Eat & Drink
Activities
SightsInterview By: Welcome Beyond
— Why did you decide to move to Italy?
Seonaid: “We had both lived in Italy before, so we had a little knowledge of the language and a love for the people. Here, not so much in the big cities like Milano and Roma, the Italian way of life is very basic. It’s wonderful.”
— East Tower Suite
— What exactly is so different here from other places?
Seonaid: “There’s still a sense of humanism that is lacking in many other parts of the world. There’s a caring quality here.
There’s more awareness and people are more in touch with nature. They are also far more in touch with the cycles of the seasons. In January every year, the church gives out a calendar of when to plant your broccoli and other vegetables. This kind of thing is woven into their culture. They have a respect for nature, and in turn believe that nature will respect them. That’s the basis of it.
For example there’s nothing more beautiful here, than stepping onto the terrace and watching the fireflies come out and twinkle everywhere. It’s absolutely magical. It reminds you you’re alive in nature.”
There’s more awareness and people are more in touch with nature. They are also far more in touch with the cycles of the seasons. In January every year, the church gives out a calendar of when to plant your broccoli and other vegetables. This kind of thing is woven into their culture. They have a respect for nature, and in turn believe that nature will respect them. That’s the basis of it.
For example there’s nothing more beautiful here, than stepping onto the terrace and watching the fireflies come out and twinkle everywhere. It’s absolutely magical. It reminds you you’re alive in nature.”
—
— Please tell us more about the location of Moravola.
Seonaid: “Torre di Moravola is located in the Tiber Valley, so you’ve got the sacred river Tiber that runs all the way from Bologna through the mountains to Rome. It’s a land of oak forests and quite wild. It’s a bit like Scotland in many ways.
The Tiber Valley has been a healing place for ages. St. Francis of Assisi was known to be here, so it’s a very calming, spiritual, beautiful area filled with nature. There’s a lot of history and culture here too. Most of the local villages are Medieval, and some possess a Renaissance quality as well.”
The Tiber Valley has been a healing place for ages. St. Francis of Assisi was known to be here, so it’s a very calming, spiritual, beautiful area filled with nature. There’s a lot of history and culture here too. Most of the local villages are Medieval, and some possess a Renaissance quality as well.”
—
— What is there to do in the area?
Seonaid: “There’s lots to do around here. For example, if people want to go horseback riding, we can organize a ride to a picnic site. If you want to do Microlight flying, then we’ll find a way to sort that out...
Basically, what we try to do with our guests that really works is to keep things as simple as possible. Everything is related to the local area, and that’s what we want our guests to remember. We want to take them to places they would never discover normally on any tourist trail. There are little music concerts nearby, chestnut festivals, unusual restaurants.
I usually give our guests a list of things not to miss, but it depends. We have some people who arrive here knowing exactly what they want to do. And there are others who just want to chill out and do nothing but relax.”
Basically, what we try to do with our guests that really works is to keep things as simple as possible. Everything is related to the local area, and that’s what we want our guests to remember. We want to take them to places they would never discover normally on any tourist trail. There are little music concerts nearby, chestnut festivals, unusual restaurants.
I usually give our guests a list of things not to miss, but it depends. We have some people who arrive here knowing exactly what they want to do. And there are others who just want to chill out and do nothing but relax.”
— West pavilion terrace
— Is there a specific time of the year that’s best to come for a visit?
Seonaid: “I like the end of May, beginning of June when there’s the greenery of the spring and the flowers are blooming. The fireflies are out and it’s warm enough to dine outside on the terrace in the evening.
Usually July and August get very hot and people will be at the pool a lot. It’s beautiful then too, but we’re so busy at that time that I hardly have time to notice.
I also love autumn when the weather is still warm and the pool is still open. The colors are changing, the fresh olive oil has been squeezed, the wines are being pressed and it’s truffle season. Every one of the little villages has its own fiesta during that time.”
Usually July and August get very hot and people will be at the pool a lot. It’s beautiful then too, but we’re so busy at that time that I hardly have time to notice.
I also love autumn when the weather is still warm and the pool is still open. The colors are changing, the fresh olive oil has been squeezed, the wines are being pressed and it’s truffle season. Every one of the little villages has its own fiesta during that time.”
—
— To you personally, what has been most rewarding about running this small retreat.
Seonaid: “When we finished building, we had no money whatsoever. The first night, we put the electric lights on in the tower and the whole place lit up. It was about 6:00 or 7:00 on a winter’s night. A tiny village nearby rang the church bells to say that they could see our tower. To me, that just made my heart burst with pride. It was absolutely amazing to see that after all these centuries, the place had come alive again.
And now to see people laughing, music playing, people around having great fun in this Medieval tower is worth all the hard work.”
And now to see people laughing, music playing, people around having great fun in this Medieval tower is worth all the hard work.”
—
— Thank you, Seonaid!
Prices are an indication only. The final quote will be the same low price as booking your vacation directly.
There are no fees to book. Please check directly with the owner for special arrangements or information not listed here.
Service
Catered
Accommodation type
Boutique hotel
Location
Remote
Special requirements
Not suitable for young children
No pets allowed
Not suitable for wheelchairs
No smoking, please
Transport
Car recommended
Private parking
No public transport
Prices are an indication only. The final quote will be the same low price as booking your vacation directly.
There are no fees to book. Please check directly with the owner for special arrangements or information not listed here.
Bedrooms
0 Single bedroom
1 Double bedroom
0 Twin bedroom
0 Room w. multiple beds
Additional:
0 Sofabed
0 Extra bed (on request)
0 Air mattress (on req.)
1 Baby cot/crib (on req.)
Bath/shower rooms
1 Bathroom (ensuite)
0 Bathroom (shared)
0 Shower room (ensuite)
0 Shower room (shared)
0 Toilet (ensuite)
Additional:
0 Toilet (shared)
Other rooms
-
0 Kitchen
0 Kitchenette
0 Cooking area
0 Living room
0 Dining room
0 Other rooms
Prices for 2 sharingperson
Lowest price
Highest price
June to September per night
€ 277
€ 277
Rest of the year per night
€ 230
€ 230
Size: 21 square meters. 1 units available.
Prices are quoted per room per night and include taxes, breakfast, bottled water and fresh fruit. The tower is not suitable for children between 2 and 13 years.
Extra bed: €100 per night over 18 years, €50 per night 13 -18 years
Cots: €20 per night
Breakfast: fresh squeezed orange juice/or other fruits, freshly made breads and patisserie, crostini, yoghurt, cereals and fresh fruit, eggs any way you want and scrambled with truffles (when in season), pecorino etc.
Lunches: €20-40; paninos are available upon request throughout the day.
Dinners are prepared using the freshest of locally sourced ingredients. Cost for a 4 course meal ranges from €50 - €60 excluding wine.
Closed from November to March.
4 Italian Hotel Rooms With a View
Medieval Modernism sets the scene at Torre di Moravola (doubles from $404), a 10th-century tower 25 minutes from Perugia. The seven suites are outfitted with Moroso armchairs and sunken stone baths; five have floating steel staircases. One caveat: the hotel is hard to find, so bring a map.
— Travel + LeisureTravel + Leisure, November 2009
The Hot List 2009
Medieval Umbrian watchtowers are not generally associated with clean, modernist-influenced architecture; and yet the two are combined to striking effect in this new, seven-room retreat in the upper Tiber valley. An extraordinary diorama of oak forests, cattle pastures and distant, often snow-covered peaks surrounds the tower on all sides, but the view closer to home is equally compelling. Architect Christopher Chong (who has worked with Norman Foster) and his designer wife, Seonaid Mackenzie, restored their feudal ruin with respect for the surviving fabric. But rather than follow the faux-rustic route, they chose to make the interiors and add-ons (such as the swimming pool) unrepentantly geometric and contemporary. (...) The owners are around, without being invasive, and the rapport begins with a pre-arrival e-mail that suggests seasonal events in the area and allows guests to book massages, reflexology, reiki or holistic treatments, discuss meals and day-trips (...).
— Condé Nast TravellerCondé Nast Traveller, May 2009
Torre di Moravola
Commanding a hilltop between Gubbio and Montone in the storied province of Umbria, a 1000 year old watchtower has recently been transformed into one of Italy’s most strikingly modern hotels (…) While restoring the property, Chong was careful to respect its original dimensions, letting the ancient stone walls define the layout. At the same time, there was no attempt to create historically accurate rooms; instead the couple seamlessly incorporated twenty-first-century architectural elements — floating steel staircases, sliding glass screens, sunken tubs.
— Vogue (US)Vogue (US), December 2008
Limited time spring offer
Get a fourth night free for a stay of three nights. Valid for the period from the 29th of March to the 31st of May.
