Mariae Nivis 1567: the rebirth of a monastery in (secret) Tuscany

Nestled within Tuscany fairy beech woods, a hidden village and a centuries-old monastery are stirring back to life. Such a revival is the dream of Denise Vangelisti and Stefano Freschi.

Their project, Mariae Nivis 1567, is breathing new vitality into a long-standing legacy of beauty. It's a story of heritage, artistry, and love. And we are going to share it with you. 

Mariae Nivis 1567 is a regeneration project that brings a precious heritage to light: a 16th-century monastery and the surrounding village.

Its restoration journey has revealed a path into (sustainable) beauty that interwinds history, nature, and artisanal creativity.

The setting for this story is Pratovecchio, a small town a stone's throw from the Casentinesi Forests National Park, one of the most unspoilt corners in Europe.

The Freschi–Vangelisti family is the driving force behind the initiative. Stefano and Denise, luxury entrepreneurs and passionate collectors of modern and contemporary art, set out to recover not only a building but also the original spirit of the site.

For centuries, the monastery founded in 1567 was a beacon for the local community and also an artistic hub, where resident nuns were renowned for their skills in painting and embroidery.

Just as in the past, Mariae Nivis aims to safeguard what truly matters: the deep connection between the people and their land. A vision expressed through the art of making.

Once-abandoned spaces in the historic centre have been reimagined as art galleries and artisan workshops.

Yet above all, the entire project is deeply attuned to the landscape surrounding it, especially the ancient beech forests, majestic green cathedrals now protected by UNESCO.

The restoration of a 1567 monastery lies at the heart of the programme. A historic and spiritual landmark, the building has been carefully brought back to life using local materials and modern techniques that honour the original architecture.

Every aspect has been designed to balance environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and the preservation of the site’s identity.

The renewed Domus Mariae Nivis is set to become a space for hospitality and safeguarding traditional crafts.

Originally founded with the assets of an ancient monastic order dedicated to Our Lady of the Snows, the monastery long served as a spiritual and social refuge for the Casentino community.

Today, the aim is to reconnect what happens within and beyond its walls through cultural events, artistic initiatives, and shared moments that place beauty and creativity at the heart of the experience. In time, guests will also have the opportunity to stay overnight.

The Mariae Nivis experiment has already sparked the first signs of renewal in the village. On 5 October 2024, the first two MN1567 galleries were inaugurated in Pratovecchio with a photographic exhibition dedicated to the Rosalia Alpina beetle and the ancient beech forests by artist Graziano Capaccioli.

Vacant spaces in the historic centre have been reimagined to host displays of fine handcrafted objects inspired by the surrounding natural world, as well as practical workshops where visitors can learn traditional skills like ceramics.

A growing number of cultural events, artist residencies, workshops and community activities are helping to transform this small hamlet into a dynamic and inclusive creative hub. The aim is to generate local employment, attract mindful travellers, and preserve the memory of the place through art.

A core focus for the Mariae Nivis 1567 family brand is the protection of the ancient Casentino beech forests, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a treasure trove of biodiversity.

The centuries-old woodlands on Monte Falterona are fragile habitats, home to rare species. One of them is the Rosalia Alpina, a unique blue beetle that has become a symbol of forest health.

Beyond the natural significance, the area also holds deep historical value. The nearby Lago degli Idoli was once a holy site for the Etruscans, who performed votive rituals along its shores, leaving behind small bronze offerings. Many of these artefacts, discovered between the 19th and 20th centuries, now reside in some of the world's most prestigious galleries, from the British Museum to the Louvre.

Here, beauty is not just to be admired — it must be protected.

That's why the Freschi and Vangelisti family, in collaboration with Federparchi and the Casentinesi Forests National Park Authority, is committed to concrete environmental protection and active conservation efforts.

In the Capo d'Arno area, they have established a 30-hectare integral protection zone, a symbolic and practical gesture to safeguard an ecosystem as fragile as it is extraordinary.

No logging or exploitation will take place. The woodland will remain untouched, continuing to shelter countless species, preserve valuable microhabitats, and offer a remarkably healthy environment to all who visit. It will also play a quiet but vital role in carbon capture: the beech forest absorbs around 240 tonnes of CO₂ yearly.

Mariae Nivis aspires to become a forge of artisanal knowledge, a place where the art of making takes form through rare and refined techniques: guilloché, the intricate 18th-century engraving method now all but forgotten; micromosaic; burin engraving, the same procedure once used by Albrecht Dürer; and grand feu enamelling, a centuries-old art dating back as far as 1200 BC.

Such a heritage of skills is both a legacy to protect and a gift to pass on to future generations: this is the vision rooted in the long-standing expertise of the Freschi and Vangelisti family. For over 25 years, they have created fine jewellery for some of the most prestigious names in international luxury.

Through Mariae Nivis 1567, they have launched a line of jewels and ceramics inspired by the local landscape and its colours, symbols, and soul. Completing the collection is an exclusive fragrance drawn by the scents of the Tuscan forest.

Everything is made with love and deliberate precision — gestures handed down through time, refined with patience, and perfected by craftsmanship.

Mariae Nivis 1567 is a bold experiment in cultural and environmental regeneration.

A 16th-century monastery, artistic initiatives, and the extraordinary natural heritage of the ancient Casentino forests are the elements that make this destination an experience to live.

If you’re drawn to hidden gems, untold stories, unspoilt nature and exceptional craftsmanship, this corner of Tuscany will surely capture your heart.

What makes Mariae Nivis 1567 special?

Mariae Nivis 1567 is a cultural project centred around a historic monastery in Tuscany. It involves artistic events, nature conservation programmes, and outstanding artisanal traditions.

Where is Mariae Nivis 1567 located?

You’ll find Mariae Nivis 1567 in Pratovecchio, in the heart of the Casentino Forests National Park (Monte Falterona and Campigna), in the province of Arezzo, Tuscany.

How do I get to Mariae Nivis 1567?

Mariae Nivis 1567 is located in Pratovecchio, Arezzo province. It’s about a one-hour drive from Florence or Arezzo. By train, the nearest station is Pratovecchio-Stia.