Looking Around

Corte della Maestà: Timeless Retreat

In the heart of the ancient Etruscan hamlet of Civita di Bagnoregio, in the region of Lazio, rises Corte della Maestà: a timeless retreat that preserves the authentic atmosphere of the past and reflects the charm of the village in its historical details.

Corte della Maestà is located in the small hamlet of Civita di Bagnoregio, a magical and timeless place, far from the hustle of the city, surrounded by the characteristic “calanchi”, clusters of clay that make the valley and its landscapes truly unique. The ancient residence of Corte della Maestà is part of the XIV century bishop’s palace and represents the continuation of the art collection that Paolo and Cristiana (the owners) have been building up for decades.

Inside the property guests can immerse themselves in a medieval setting, rich in characteristic details that seek contact with the historical context of the village: the antique stone breached by time and the exquisitely chosen furnishings represent the real essence of Corte della Maestà. The interiors of this timeless retreat feature ancient and contemporary paintings, sacred and secular objects, furniture purchased in antique markets in Italy and around the world, and an incredible collection of mirrors, ceramics and antique carpets. This spectacular sequence of art objects bears witness to the passion that underlies the decision to create this unique place.

Corte della Maestà is, first of all, a space for sharing, an ancient concept that finds its starting point in the peculiar “Cucina di Fratta” (the kitchen): a magical place with light and airy spaces, high vaults carved out of the stone and rustic unique antique pieces that contrast with the elegant crystal chandeliers. In this environment you can find memorabilia of all kinds, unique and incomparable décors such as the splendid mirrors or more “everyday life” objects like the characteristic copper pots.

In the private wing of Corte della Maestà, the historical atmosphere and the refinement of details transport guests in authentic environments. The retreat has four suites, each with a different name inspired by the objects found inside each of them: “La Badessa” suite features an ancient canopy bed that belonged to the abbess of a monastery; inside “La Sonnambula” suite the main protagonist is the headboard used in a theatrical scenography of the early nineteenth century; “La Scrittrice” suite is so named for the presence of an antique desk and for the characteristic floral wallpaper (a reproduction of the one in Virginia Woolf’s London house); and lastly "La Intrusa" an intimate suite with a French atmosphere dedicated to the work of Jorge Luis Borges.

The spirit of the hamlet can also be breathed in other spaces such as the “Cantina del Vescovo” – the Bishop’s Cellar – an intimate environment in which the ancient history of the place is perceived and lived. Entirely hand-sculpted and restored to bring it back to its former splendor, Paolo and Cristiana furnished it with extreme attention to details using natural wood and metal furniture to offer guests the opportunity to spend a pleasant evening tasting typical local products and wines.

The Corte is surrounded by two splendid gardens with medicinal plants and herbs, secular trees and ancient Roman columns: a real heaven in the center of the village.

Corte della Maestà promotes the ancient art of “dolce far niente”, embracing the slowness of living, taking care of the soul, contemplating beauty and pausing the franticness of our daily lives for a moment. This fresco of emotions can only be found here.

Corte della Maestà is a timeless place where experiences are not necessarily sought or created, but can be found in small details: the silence of the night when it seems like it is snowing outside, the lights and colors of the sunset and dawn, the cats that live in the village and that accompany the tourists on their walks along the alleyways, the exquisite cuisine of the village restaurants, reading a book or sipping a glass of wine in front of the house's fireplace.