We’re in Montepulciano, in the Italian province of Siena. It’s a fully fortified town built along a narrow ridge of limestone, which reaches an altitude of 605 metres and separates Val di Chiana from Val d’Orcia.
Steeped in history, the town dates back to Etruscan times, as witness a large water receptacle found during archaeological excavations of the top end of the town (the site of the earliest settlement); and it’s well worth a visit.
And right here in Montepulciano, a stone’s throw beyond the city walls – a short walk takes you to the town’s lowest gate, the Santa Agnese – the Etruria Resort & Natural SPA, a boutique hotel that retains the central building of the 19th Century villa and its secret garden, was developed from an aristocratic country residence.
Adjacent to the original 19th Century structures, the developers built the “La Perla Spa” wellness centre, the swimming pools, the gym, the “La Corte di Bacco” restaurant and the residences in the surrounding grounds, which still play host to trees hundreds of years old.
The combination of materials used for the floor and wall coverings of the various parts of the complex create a warm, welcoming atmosphere, that combines tradition with a contemporary feel.
The ceramic coverings supplied by Marazzi welcome you as soon as you step into the lobby on the ground floor, where the white of the Stone Collection* large-format porcelain tiles reflects the light from the large windows, and illuminates the reception area and adjacent bar.
As you continue into the building, the brightness of these areas gives way to a more closeted atmosphere, in which the stone walls and the floor tiles made with EvolutionStone Piasentina** with orange-peel finish provide the framework for a relaxing wellness area.
*Stone Collection by Marazzi: modern and understated, this collection comes in four colours – Ivory, White, Anthracite and Green – and a wide range of versatile formats. Stone Collection has numerous eco-sustainable features and is complemented by a vast range of mosaics of all colours. It’s a porcelain tile that can be used as a floor and wall covering in both residential and commercial environments.
Sizes: 60x120, 30x120, 60x60, 30x60 and 7.5x60 cm
Thickness: 10.5 mm
**EvolutionStone by Marazzi is an original interpretation of five premium natural stones: Pietra di Brera, Malaga, Quarzite, Luserna and Serena, which are manufactured according to an innovative, environmentally sound industrial process. Made of porcelain ceramic, using the double-loading technique, the collection is suitable for indoor and outdoor use alike, in either residential or high-traffic commercial environments. Available in a range of surface textures, the collection is ideally suited to creating a sense of continuity between indoor and outdoor areas.
Sizes: 60x120, 60x60 and 30x60 cm
Thickness: 10.5 mm
