At the Borgo stands an old stable. For years, it stood as a silent witness to time—a place where the past softly echoes and where dreams have patiently waited. All that time, I harbored the desire to transform this simple space into something special: a wellness center, a sauna, a warm refuge for those who come home, even if only for a short time. But as is the way of life in the Italian countryside, other projects took precedence. And so the sauna always ended up at the bottom of the nice-to-have list, while the old barn served primarily as storage space. Yet, beneath it all, the dream continued to glow gently, like a ember that never quite dies.

 

And then came this winter, 2025. The moment when the spark reignited and there was time again for improvements and expansions after a long season with guests.

 

What started with tidying up—a lot of tidying up—and throwing things away, grew into a serious project. The floor was excavated, the water supply shut off, and structural challenges identified. Then came the first sketches, discussions with the municipality, and consultations with the architect/geometra. Step by step, the space is coming to life.

What exactly will it ultimately look like? That will remain an organic process for a while. The more time I spend in the space, the clearer the ideas become. But one thing is certain:
it will be a place to relax, unwind, and enjoy.

 

The plans are certainly promising:

• a toilet

• a spacious shower with a cistern

• a cozy relaxation area

• and a large sauna—a Finnish sauna with Eastern European influences, complete with a sturdy wood-burning stove and glowing hot stones for those wonderful steamy moments.

​

The new wellness area will soon be available to all guests of the Borgo. And yes, you can bet I'll be there every week during the cold winter months... because this project is secretly a gift to myself as well.

 

Curious about the progress? Follow my building adventure from January 2026 on YouTube/Borgo Poggio Dei Fiori