The farmhouse
A 17th-century farmhouse, restored without betraying it
Stone, terracotta, original beams and a 17th-century well still at the centre of the cloister.
The story
The restoration
The farm stay was born from the skilful restoration of an old stone farmhouse built around an enclosed courtyard, dating back to the early 17th century. The long restoration did nothing to change the spirit of the place: all the original materials were restored and reused, including the beams, and where something was missing it was replaced exclusively with materials of historical and artistic interest. The result is a window onto the past.
The inner cloister, with its gardens and its 17th-century well, has been kept exactly as it was. In the large cross-vaulted hall, once the cowshed and now the restaurant, there are reproductions of Pompeian-style frescoes and a 16th-century stone fireplace.
The enclosed-courtyard layout gives guests complete privacy and a quiet, relaxing setting.
A hectare under cultivation
The farm
The Corte Breda farm, run by the Libretti family, works on three sites: in Chiari, all around the farmhouse; on Monte Isola, on Lake Iseo; and in Franciacorta.
In Chiari, on one hectare, there are greenhouses where strawberries are grown hydroponically, without soil. All around the strawberry beds, fine and rare fruit trees give us the best fruit of each season; in one corner we pick berries, raspberries and wild asparagus. Next to the farmhouse is the botanical garden, with the vegetables for breakfast and for the restaurant.
On Monte Isola, the largest lake island in Italy and one of the Borghi più belli d'Italia (Most Beautiful Villages in Italy), we look after an olive grove of about 400 centuries-old trees: this is where Olio di Giò comes from, an extra virgin olive oil made in just a few bottles. In Franciacorta, meanwhile, we produce the IGT wines we serve to our farm-stay guests.
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Soil-free strawberries
Hydroponic greenhouses: less water, no weedkillers, picked when fully ripe.
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Orchard and berries
Fine and rare fruit trees, raspberries, blackberries and wild asparagus in the shadiest corner of the property.
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Botanical garden
Seasonal vegetables for our guests' breakfast and for the restaurant kitchen.
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The farmhouse jams
Strawberries, raspberries and berries picked here become the jams you find at breakfast, also available in gift packs.
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Olio di Giò, Monte Isola
About 400 centuries-old olive trees on the Lake Iseo island, for a rare extra virgin olive oil made in just a few bottles.
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Franciacorta wines
IGT wines produced in Franciacorta and served to our farm-stay guests.
In the courtyard
The residents of the courtyard
Living in the courtyard are the donkeys Martino and Camilla, the hens — Olivia and the others — and the guardian of the house, Joe the dog. Children, as a rule, won't leave them alone.
And guests' dogs? They are welcome. As Joe's sign says: no dog has ever left without paying, none has ever burnt the blankets smoking, none has ever come back drunk in the middle of the night, and we have never found one of our towels in a dog's suitcase. If your dog will vouch for you, you can come too.
Surroundings
Nearby
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Franciacorta
15 minutes
Wineries, tastings and vineyard landscapes around Erbusco, Adro and Corte Franca.
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Lake Iseo and Monte Isola
30 minutes
The lake, the ferry and Monte Isola, Italy's largest lake island, free of cars.
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Chiari town centre
5 minutes
The historic centre of the four Quadre (quarters), the civic tower, the Duomo and the Biblioteca Morcelliana.
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Brescia
35 minutes
The Roman Capitolium, the UNESCO World Heritage Santa Giulia complex and the castle.
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Bergamo and Città Alta
40 minutes
The Venetian walls, the funicular and one of the most beautiful historic centres in Lombardy.
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Outlet and trade fairs
20-45 minutes
Franciacorta Outlet Village and the Brescia and Bergamo exhibition centres.