Situated at the edge of the Apuane Alps Regional Park atop the fortified medieval village of Viano, "Il Fortino" has breathtaking views over the Aulella and Lucido valleys. Nearly 400 years old, the stone village house is an original part of the village fortifications with its ramparts standing guard over the beautiful Lunigiana countryside. “Il Fortino” is built on three levels and has been lovingly restored to retain many original features. Access is from the village borgo into the entry hall at ground floor level with bathroom, living/dining room with fireplace and fully fitted kitchen opening onto the private terrace. The terrace sits in a commanding position atop the vaulted portico where you can wine, dine and relax surrounded by sheer tranquillity and the magnificent Lunigiana landscape. Stairs from the living area lead to the gallery landing from which are two double bedrooms with sloping wood ceilings, one with en-suite shower and one with vanity unit. The lower ground floor is accessed via stairs down from the kitchen and contains a further twin bedroom with French doors leading directly onto the vaulted portico in front of the property. "Il Fortino" is just 10 mins drive from shops, restaurants and train station and only 20 minutes drive from the motorway. The beautiful seaside resorts of the Versilian Riviera are just a short car ride away as well as the famous "Cinque Terre" coastal villages. The Renaissance cities of Florence, Lucca and Pisa are also within easy distance and can be reached by train - a very relaxing and scenic option. In common with other medieval villages, cars are parked near the village centre and a short walk leads to the property.Part of Tuscany, Lunigiana is an ancient territory extending from the Apennines to the mouth of the River Magra. This hidden corner of Tuscany is rich in mediaeval history: castles, Romanesque churches and ancient hilltop hamlets of astonishing beauty dot the landscape everywhere. Bounded by the Mediterranean Sea, the Apuane Alps and the Appenine Mountains, Lunigiana is a land lost in time. Its geographical location and turbulent history have combined to create a unique landscape, one that, even to this day, remains preserved and intact from over-development. Lunigiana remains virtually untouched by the rampant urbanisation and industrialisation that plague many areas of outstanding natural beauty in other countries. It has a uniquely rural character where life moves at a traditional pace yet it is easy to reach from the international airports at Pisa, Genoa, Parma and Milan.Built on an ancient Roman site, the medieval fortified village of Viano is crowned by the Tower of Viano a remnant of the Viano Castle once owned by Spinetta the Great (died 1352), a powerful member of the Malaspina family which dominated the area in the middle ages. Under the gaze of the tower stands a public courtyard, a magical place in a stunning hilltop position where various community events are held every year. You will find the local people in Viano warm, friendly, trusting and proud of their traditions. There is a bar and a shop in the village and regular vans bring fresh bread, fish, groceries and produce. The villages of Gragnole and Monzone have good shops and are just 10 minutes drive away. There is a laundry and dry cleaners in Monzone and larger supermarkets can be found in Aulla, Villafranca and Sarzana. There are post offices, banks and railway stations in nearby Gragnole and Monzone. Gragnole also has a chemist.