Palazzo Cervini was constructed on the slopes of a Tuscan volcano (Mount Amiata) near Montalcino in southern Tuscany for Pope Marcello II in 1538. I was invited by Countess Cervini to redesign and transform various areas of the property into ecological, low water/maintenance gardens, using the ecologica system. The first of these was a small courtyard garden behind the family's Renaissance hermitage. The courtyard had been used by the Calmaldolese monks to grow herbs and house livestock in the 16th century. It was therefore a very high profile and delicate renovation project and the family was delighted with the outcome.
Four wonderfully restored holiday houses are now available for rent in the summer period from www.trustandtravel.com or, alternatively for discount winter rents from www.palazzocervini.com (Summer rates are reduced by 50% during the low season)