Farm House La Tana dell'Istrice - Civitella d'Agliano

About Farm House La Tana dell'Istrice

La Tana dell'Istrice (The porcuspine's lair) originated in wine producer Sergio Mottura's decision to transform the original family home into a small and welcoming hotel, where you may enjoy the quit of a village surrounded by verdant fields and vineyards, as well as take advantage of many an opportunity to explore the neighbouring area. Guests may witness the production cycle of Mr. Mottura's firm and, above all, sample its products, particularly a wide selection of wines.

The Mottura estate, consisting of some 130 hectares nestled on the border of Northern Lazio and Umbria between the hills and the clay canyons of Civitella d'Agliano to the west and the fertile plain of the Tiber Valley to the East The natural beauty of the area has remained untouched by urbanisation and industrial development and still offers breath-taking landscapes, dotted with woods, lakes and numerous torrents, although it is only 100 km. from Rome and 160 km. from Florence. The estate has been in the Mottura family since 1933 and they have been actively involved in the conservation of the area. In the 1960's the Mottura's began modernising their farming methods on the estate: they switched over from share-cropping to direct cultivation and began research into the best use to be made of the soil.
On the gentle slopes of the hillsides vines have found their natural habitat and prosper in the volcanic soil.Records in the archives of Orvieto prove that these hills were particularly suited to the cultivation of vines as far back as in 1929 in so much as some of the best Orvieto wine was even then produced here. As in many other areas the old vineyards, planted generation ago, "married" the vines to trees that would support them, according to the method massed down from the Etruscans.These have gradually been replaced by specialised vineyards, which now extend to 60 hectares and every year new ones are planted to ensure that the quality of the wines will remain as high in the future.
In chosing the varieties an important place has always been reserved for the local indigenous vines and clones have been selected on the basis of bearing fruits with all the best qualities essential to wine making; extensive cultivation in the same area over many years has brought about a natural selection of those more resistant to disease.

Location of Farm House La Tana dell'Istrice, Civitella d'Agliano

Many itineraries are available: Orvieto is only 18 kilometres away from Civitella, and both Rome and Florence may be rapisly reached by rail or motorway. Equally close and directly connected are Siena and the Etruscan towns of Tarquinia and Tuscania and, moving into Umbria, Todi, Spoleto, Deruta, Perugia and the Franciscan towns of Assisi and Gubbio.
The Argentario or the Duna Feniglia and its beautiful beach in the Maremma are only a one-hour drive away, for those who fancy a trip to the seaside. However, swimming sailing and windsurfing may also be practised in the nearby volcanic lakes: Bolsena, with its wonderfully limpid waters and the small lake of Vico, situated amongst the chestnut groves in a magnificent scenery. Not far from Civitella is also the golf course "Le Querce" of Nepi-Sutri. For mountain lovers, on the other hand, the area offers the superb chestnut and beech forests of the Monti Cimini or the Monte Amiata, which in the winter is also a skiing resort.Viterbo, the main town of the Tuscia - that is the ancient name for the region in which we are presently located - also offers the pleasurable benefits of its thermal waters: "Bulicame" and "Bagnacci", with their natural baths into which slightly sulphureous water from the hot springs has been channelled, or the centre of "Terme dei Papi", open throughout the year, with its warm open-air swimming pool, saunas and mud-therapy, massage facilities and beauty centre. Saturnia, a similarly renowned thermal centre, is not far from Civitella, as are many other less famous places which exploit the volcanic springs pervasive throughout the region. For those who may not wish to roam too far afield, Civitella itself and its immediate surroundings offer many amenities, e.g. fully equipped facilities for playing tennis, for horse-riding, fishing, walking and cycling. The "Oasi di Alviano", a nature reserve managed by WWF situated on the banks of the Tiber, offers opportunities for birdwatching and guided tours. Finally, only a few kilometres away from the village are the famous "Parco dei Mostri" (Monsters Park) of Bomarzo and, perched on a clay wall typical of this landscape, Civita di Bagnoregio, the illustrious "dying town". Much more could be said to describe these locations. We invite you to visit us as to get to know better a place where life is sweet.

Rooms at La Tana dell'Istrice

double room The Hotel is situated in a manor house of medieval origin, restored in the sixteenth century, in the heart of Civitella d'Agliano, a small agricultural centre located between Orvieto and Viterbo. Civitella developed around the original medieval village, founded about 1026, of which the watch-tower and rock overlooking the central square just in front of the Hotel, are still extant. Wholly restructured, the house currently comprises seven comfortable double rooms and two suites, all included private bathroom, air conditioning and every facility designed to guarantee a pleasant stay.

• Air conditioning
• Baby cots/cribs available
• Desk
• Direct dial phone
• Hairdryer in each room

• Heating
• Mini bar
• Non-smoking rooms
• Rooms with view

• Satellite TV
• Telephone
• Terrace/Balcony
• TV

Farm House Facilities

• Air conditioning
• Credit card accepted
• Entire property is non-smoking
• Groups welcome
• Historic building

• City maps
• Front desk - fax service
• Front desk - safety deposit box
• Multilingual staff

• Tourist information
• Outdoor swimming pool
• Free parking
• Restaurant

Transport Services Farmhouse La Tana dell'Istrice

• Free parking