Villa La Riniera is located in the foothills of the medieval citadel of Castel San Pietro Terme in the province of Bologna and on the border between Emilia and Romagna. Situated in the middle of the countryside, about 2 km from the town centre and encircled by a large park of centuries-old trees, it is the ideal place for those seeking a peaceful stay, completely surrounded by nature. It is also a convenient base for enjoying many wonderful excursions on foot or by bicycle in the nearby area, or for visiting the nearby cities of Bologna (20 km), Modena and Ravenna (40 km) and Ferrara (50 km).

The current owners have recently renovated two apartments on the ground floor, accommodating a total of 5/6 people, which can be reserved for short stays or as holiday homes for periods of one or two weeks, or even longer by prior arrangement.

The two apartments are composed as follows:

The first is a suite with a living room, a double bedroom and a bathroom. It is equipped with all the necessary facilities and appliances for preparing breakfast. It features frescoed ceilings and original parquet floors.

The second is a large apartment (150 sqm) with a spacious fully equipped kitchen, a triple bedroom with a double bed and a single bed, and a large "Pompeian-style" bathroom with an original marble bathtub and a frescoed ceiling. It is furnished with antique furniture and has original parquet floors.

During the months of April and May, guests can enjoy the extraordinary spectacle of nearly 20,000 peony plants in bloom, cultivated on the Villa's agricultural estate for the production of plants and cut flowers.

THE HISTORY OF VILLA LA RINIERA

Dating back to the sixteenth century, the Villa owes its name to the Rinieri Family, who commissioned its construction and were its first owners.

In the 18th century, it was purchased and expanded by a wealthy merchant from the area and subsequently passed to the Marquises Rusconi, who further enlarged and renovated the residence, introducing distinctive elements of the Neo-classical style.

In the immediate post-World War II period, the Villa was acquired by the family of the current owners, who have since made it their principal residence.

The exterior features a large decorative tympanum above the main entrance and two significant porticos on the north and west sides. The interiors are adorned with various frescoes and tempera panels in a typically Neo-classical and eighteenth-century figurative style, depicting landscapes, mythological figures and architectural elements.

With its imposing quadrangular structure, perched on the foothills of Castel San Pietro Terme, Villa La Riniera is one of the most striking and characteristic historical-architectonic buildings in the surrounding area.

FACILITIES AND SERVICES: ACCOMMODATION AT VILLA LA RINIERA

Villa La Riniera is a peaceful, charming retreat immersed in all the scents and colours of nature. Two apartments are available for B&B accommodation and guests are also provided with the following complimentary amenities:

• Unattended parking area
• Spacious grounds
• Daily room cleaning service (for short stays and weekends only)
• English-speaking staff
• TV
• Internet connection
• Possibility of breakfast served in the room between 8:30 and 10:00 am (with an additional cost).

PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE VICINITY

The town of Castel San Pietro Terme (20,000 inhabitants) has a wide variety of shops, including pharmacies, and offers a number of good restaurants serving typical cuisine from the Emilia Romagna region. There is also a modern thermal spa centre, as well as a superb 18-hole 72-par golf course located just outside the town.

The exit for Castel San Pietro off the A14 motorway is a 10-minute drive from the Villa, while the railway station, with its ample unguarded car park, is just 5 minutes away. There are shuttle trains to Bologna or Ravenna every 20/30 minutes.