The High Barn, Farmhouse and archway  look S.W. across the valley to the mountains.

It was once the granary for the whole village in the times when the south facing slopes were covered with corn.

The sheaves were brought up on ox carts under the farmhouse arch  to a large stone paved  area in front of the barn, and everyone joined in the threshing.

The grain was kept on the top floor with angled  brick windows on  the valley side for the air to circulate. Oxen and plough horses shared the stalls beneath.

In 1987, despite it being condemned, it was still untouched and  magical. Now,  although the interior is restructured, the long galleries and changes of level keep it in harmony with the landscape.

 

The High Barn is bright and airy, comfortable and charmingly furnished with all the things you need for simple country living. The design is based on a long gallery with  bedrooms and shower-rooms at either end. With the bedrooms separated by the two public rooms, the apartment has built-in privacy.

The sitting room holds a small library and can seat 8 on armchairs and sofas. In the living kitchen which is fully equipped, the dining table extends to seat 7-8.

There is private parking space outside the front door. Enter, and in a few steps you are on the roof terrace on the other side of the building with  a uniquely lovely panorama that makes it stand out from other properties.   

Most visitors use this as their main living room, lazing in the sunshine or dining under a starry sky. There is a big reflector telescope for the use of amateur astronomers – the full moon is a amazing sight. A friendly Italian astronomer lives across the valley. Below, a flower garden with fruit trees, olives and lavender drops down in terraces towards the valley.