Set in verdant countryside just outside the lovely little town of Cagli, Casale Torre del Sasso had two purposes when first built back in the fifteenth century: as a dovecote in times of peace, and as a look-out post for the town in times of war. 

In recent years the Casale has been converted into beautiful and spacious apartments.  The Casale proper contains two large apartments which have retained their period ambience and many ancient features. 

The ground floor Le Volte is named after the brick vaulted living room which has French windows out into a private loggia-style patio with it own wood-burning oven.  There is an equally large living room next door with a double sofabed leading to a pretty double bedroom with an antique bedstead.  A separate entrance/sitting room area, which has a second sofabed, leads up steps to a cosy, rustic kitchen/dining room.  I Colombi, on the first floor, still has the original cove, the square openings in the walls, where the young doves would have hatched.  The ample living/dining room is dominated by a huge traditional fireplace.  There are antique beds in the two attractive double bedrooms, one of which has steps up to an attic twin.  The neighbouring building has been converted into two smaller but stylish and equally well-equipped apartments, Il Pontone and Il Reniccio. 

The Casale stands in 7 hectares of woodland with delightful walks down to the Bosso river.   The town of Cagli, another old haunt of the Dukes of Urbino, is a short walk from the Casale.  The path passes underneath the old Via Flaminia, visible from the gardens, which is still an important route connecting the beach resort of Fano on the Adriatic coast with Assisi, Perugia and eventually, Rome. The road can be busy in peak season.  

Distances: