ABOUT
Villa Sant'Amico is an historic nineteenth-century building registered at the ADSI (Italian Historic Houses Association). The Villa is the central point and combined with the Orangerie, the Church and the Antique Stables form the Estate Sant'Amico.
The estate, set in 30 acres of private park with old trees, is situated in the territory of the ancient Maurum, today Morro d'Alba, a medieval village in the province of Ancona, 10 km from the Adriatic Sea. Vineyards, olive groves and panoramic view of the sea are the backdrop for this majestic country house which gave its name to the hamlet, formerly named San Domenico.
The oldest part of the villa was built in the second half of the eighteenth century by the noble family Roberti. It was originally an hunting lodge and there are still some of the frescoes in the style of grotesque. It was later expanded and enhanced by Count Francesco Carotti in the second half of the nineteenth century. After completing engineering studies at Leipzig in Germany he improved also the rest of the estate. The daughter married a descendant of the poet Giacomo Leopardi of Recanati and the estate became their summer residence for many years. At the time of enlargement were made technologically advanced innovations, such as a hot air heating system with huge cast iron boilers, which warmed all 50 rooms of the villa through clay pipes. The main front of the Old Stables shows a fine example of a sundial.
Also from that period is the design of the park of 30 acres. An English botanist enhanced the existing spaces with the addition of two circular avenues of pine trees. He also planted rare species of palm trees and redwoods as well as building a lake that collected all of the water in the park.
Since the world war Villa Sant'Amico becomes the property of a family of Entrepreneurs from Milan. Traditions were respected and the estate become well known for the ancient winery Antica Cantina Sant’Amico and their production of fine DOC wines, extra virgin olive oil and grappa.