la scarzuola

Brian was an amazing tour guide. This place defies explanation. Look up pictures and you'll get an idea. Remote and quiet. Worth a visit.

In the '50s a very sucessful Italian architect, Tommaso Buzzi, bought an old monastery near Montegabbione. Over the next several decades he not only restored the monastery but he added his own surrealist playground to the grounds. The buildings serve no discernable purpose other than delighting the significant number of visitors fortunate enough to find their way there. As a whimsical venture, it's rather extravagant, but thank God for mad architects with the assets to convert their dreams to stone in places where they do no harm and where they lend a magical aura to the landscape.It's hard to find but worth the effort. You need to call in advance to arrange admission and a tour.

Set in a pastoral setting in the Umbrian countryside is Scarzuola an interesting, lovingly restored 13th century Franciscan monastery side by side w/20th century architect Buzzi's bizarre theatrical vision.Brian our guide gave an informative and fun tour of both.Agree w/ others this is really unique chance to find some of the old and new Italian culture set in the quiet countryside.

If you like off the beaten track and quirky you will love la Scarzuola. We were fortunate that the Dutch group tour failed to show so we had Brian and the whole estate to ourselves for the entirety of the two hour visit. La Scarzuola is magical and memorable, combining the stories of st Francis of Assisi who founded the convent, the utopian vision of architect Antonio Buzzi reflecting his love of theatre and a journey of restoration which is still ongoing. Brian was adopted by the place 25 years ago he told us and his love for it is abundant. A privilege to meet Brian. All in all a unique Experience.

We loved the warm, witty and engaging tour by host, Brian! The story of the monastery, turned private retreat reflecting very engaging tastes of the private owner made for an interesting visit.Tips that are really helpful if you go:1 From time you pass the small, picturesque medieval town of Montegiove, La Scarzuola is up a one lane side road, so give a little time for travel (about 10 to 15 minutes past Montegiove).2. Once you arrive at La Scarzuola there is a split in road and the sign hangs at the split. Very confusing since we rang the bell at gate for our appointment, nobody came in 5 minutes, so we got in car and drove 3 more kilometers up the mountain wondering if there was another entry, then turned around to try again. Tried 20 minutes later along with 3 other guests and the door was answered 5 minutes after that. I guess just stop at the metal sign, ring the bell pull and be patient. :)

We visited this amazing place as part of an art course, and it was well worth the visit. The 2-hour tour guide was charming, and great fun, with lots of anecdotes at his fingertips. Fascinating insight into the history of this architecturally weird place. A must-go destination ...

This place is incredible! Brian is a riot. We had a very lovely tour of the buildings and grounds. Lots of history!!!

Great tour, only possible with guide & upon reservation but this makes it an even more fascinating experience as he is a great story teller.

This old convent is the strangest , fascinating place to visit. Open only by telephoning or online booking before for an appointment. The guided tour lasted 2 hours and was so well done that the several small children in the group didn't seem to be bored. Look it up on the internet for more info. Scarzuola Umbria, Italy.

Loved the old chapel but found some of the theatre buildings a bit weird. Well worth a visit though.

If you ever have a chance to go there, visit this Architectural crazy project that will astonish you. It was one of the highlights of our vacation!

Visita guidata su prenotazione, piccoli gruppi ammessi una volta al giorno. Siamo rimasti all'interno della Città per quasi 4 ore, una esperienza davvero imperdibile.

E’ un luogo sicuramente suggestivo, misterioso, un connubio tra sacro e profano difficilmente descrivibile, ma che merita assolutamente una visita. Peccato che l’attuale proprietario, nipote dell’architetto Tomaso Buzzi - che progettò e costruì parzialmente la sua “Città Ideale” vicino ad un antico convento francescano – sia troppo egocentrico per chiedersi a cosa possano essere interessate le persone che si spingono fin lì.Personalmente, avrei preferito un discorso incentrato su Buzzi – sul suo pensiero, sul contesto in cui è vissuto, sulle sue scelte architettoniche, sulle motivazioni che lo hanno spinto a costruire la sua città – anziché su una personalissima visione della vita del suo erede - che ha comunque ha il merito di aver continuato l’opera dello zio - sicuramente originale ma non per questo condivisibile, propinata ai visitatori in modo pedante e, talvolta, piuttosto irritante. Purtroppo, le sue elucubrazioni filosofiche e la sua risata inquietante non hanno aggiunto assolutamente nulla a quel posto incantevole, dove varrebbe la pena di immergersi… senza essere disturbati. Ma questa è solo la mia "personalissima" opinione...

Scoprire la personalità dell'architetto Buzzi è stato molto interessante. Il "cicerone" poi, è una vera miniera di informazioni

La bellezza di questo luogo lascia senza fiato, la visita è accompagnata dal proprietario che spiega benissimo e magistralmente ogni angolo. Ha una personalitá un pò eccentrica ed ha una visione della vita particolare (che io condivido) e per questo potrebbe rimanere "inopportuno" alla maggior parte dei visitatori. Vale la pena!!