Villa della Genga

Where history, nature, and elegance meet in the heart of Umbria

There’s a place tucked away in the quiet hills of Umbria where time doesn’t stop, exactly—it simply slows, as if out of respect. Respect for the land, for history, and for the beauty of simplicity. That place is Villa della Genga, a 17th-century estate nestled among olive trees in the tiny village of Poreta, just outside Spoleto.

Getting there already feels like a journey back to something essential. A winding country road, the scent of fresh grass and new olive oil, and then—suddenly—the villa appears between the trees, timeless and serene. Once the summer residence of the noble Della Genga family, it was home to Cardinal Annibale della Genga, who would later become Pope Leo XII. Today, his descendants still care for the estate, preserving its history not as a museum, but as a living, breathing home.

Villa della Genga Estate offers a quiet, deep invitation to slow down, to reconnect, to truly live the landscape. At the heart of the estate are its four Country Houses, each one a unique expression of place and memory. La Colombaia, with its tower-like silhouette and original fireplace, offers a cozy retreat that feels almost monastic in its serenity. Gli Ziri, named after the large clay jars once used to store olive oil, features graceful vaulted ceilings and breathtaking views over the valley.

Il Grottone, partly built into the rock, invites guests to experience the quiet intimacy of a house carved by nature itself. And L’Archivio, once the estate’s storage room, has been transformed into a charming and spacious home with a deep sense of history, ideal for those who appreciate a blend of rustic character and comfort. Each home is fully equipped, thoughtfully designed, and surrounded by silence, olive trees, and the soft golden light of Umbria.

Life here is simple, yet never lacking. The houses are equipped with modern kitchens, private terraces, and access to a natural oxygenated pool, designed to blend effortlessly into the environment. But what sets this place apart is its connection to the land itself. The estate is part of a broader project called Le Terre di Poreta, which unites organic farming, sustainable hospitality, and the preservation of local biodiversity. Guests are welcome to walk through ancient olive groves, take part in tastings, and learn the traditional methods of making olive oil—still practiced here with patience and care.

And perhaps the most lasting impression of all is the feeling of being welcomed, not just hosted. To stay at Villa della Genga is to feel, for a brief and precious while, part of something timeless. A story still unfolding, written into the stones of the villa, the hands of those who keep it alive, and the landscape that surrounds it. It’s the kind of place you leave slowly, looking back one last time to hold onto the light, the silence, the soul of Umbria.

Staying at Villa della Genga means discovering not just a beautiful property, but also a region that is still, in many ways, one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. Umbria, often overshadowed by its more famous neighbor Tuscany, reveals its soul in quieter ways. It is a land of medieval hill towns, forests that glow golden in the evening light, winding trails and Roman roads, Franciscan hermitages and family-run vineyards. The rhythm of life is slower here, more generous. In places like Spoleto, Assisi, Montefalco or Trevi, every stone tells a story, every meal becomes a celebration of local tradition, and every view—a painting you never tire of.

Villa della Genga – Nest Italy