There are places full of history and poetry...
This impressive ancient palace of the 17th century, also known as Palazzo del Duca, set on the historic main borgo of Tavernelle, was a summer residence of the Podestà and Este Family (Duke of Parma).
Palazzo del Duca is the ideal place for a peaceful and relaxing stay and an ideal starting point for excursions and hikes: the choice is yours to make: explore the hills (on foot if you like) and valleys of Lunigiana, or drive half an hour to the coast at Lerici and Portovenere - the gateway to the Cinque Terre - or the marble quarries at Carrara. Also a few minutes away there are the Appenine lakes and the Passo del Lagastrello, or drive down the coast to Viareggio, Pisa and Lucca in an hour or so. In the winter you can ski  in the close Prato Spilla (1350 meters) just 20 minutes far away by car.
Restored first in 1991, and second in 2008 the palace has its original features, like spacious living areas and terracotta floors,  local sandstone portals and doors and stunning vaults. It also boasts a wonderful ancient staircase and in a bedroom there is even a fireplace, a 'must' for all the ancient Lords of the 1700.

The rental possibilities are various; the entire palazzo may be rented to a big a group of friends, 26 people maximum, or the rental may be divided into 5 self-catering apartments and three independent 'suites', that share the garden.

Access to Palazzo del Duca is from the main road of Tavernelle. The palace has three floors.
On the ground floor the long corridor leads you to:
- one large double bedroom (2 pers.) with en-suite shower bathroom, that has its own entrance from the medieval borgo;
- one large apartment (4 pers.) with spacious living room and a large open fire place, well-equipped kitchen, 2 double bedrooms, 2 bathrooms with shower.

Magnificent ancient stairs lead to the first floor, consisting of:
- a light-filled apartment (4-6 pers.) with very large living room, kitchen, two double bedrooms (one with open fire place) and two bathrooms with shower. In one bathroom there is still an existing ancient water closet.
- A double  bedroom (2 pers.) with en-suite bathroom that can be used as third bedroom of the apartment.

Climbing charming original sandstone steps and you are on the second floor, consisting of:
- one large apartment (4-6 pers.) with large living area, kitchen, 1 bathroom with shower,  2 double bedrooms each with en-suite bathroom with showers.
- An apartment (2- 4 pers.) composed of kitchen and an attic room with living room, 1 double bedroom and a bathroom. The attic section has parquet floors
- A double  bedroom (2 pers.) with en-suite bathroom that can be used as third bedroom of one of the 2 apartments.

The palace has an access to an internal private partially paved garden which provides a peaceful area for relaxing, dining and cooling-off on summer evenings.
From the garden you can enter a lovely small attached apartment, that sleeps 2 people and consists of an attic double bedroom, small kitchen/dining room, a bathroom with shower, and a tiny terrace.

Due to the high altitude and thick walls of the palazzo air conditioning is never necessary.

A BRAND NEW IN GROUND  SWIMMING POOL(4X8) IS NOW UNDER CONSTRUCTION IN THE INTERNAL GARDEN. UP-TO-DATE OUTDOORS PICTURES COMING SOON.