Live with us in a beautiful ancient monastery and help to run our cultural activities in Tuscany, Italy

Italy

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Host rating
Feedback
17
Last activity
27/05/2022
Reply rate
74.2 %
Average reply time:
within 28 days
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Availability

2022

Min stay requested: 1 month or more

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What's this?

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Description
With a small team we are running this project in an impressive ancient monastery, which is embedded in the hills surrounding Lucca in Tuscany, completely surrounded by beautiful nature. The Convento, as it is affectionately called, houses the work of all kind of artists (singers, instrumentalists, composers and others).
The Convento is a place for everyone:
For people who love nature and want to help us outside on our 50 hectar property, as well as inside in this beautiful structure.
But it’s also a special place for artists who need to practice and study in exchange for their help with our daily matters.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Living in a historic building such as the monastery itself is already a cultural experience (the only neoclassic monastery in Tuscany).
Also staying next to cities like Lucca, Florence and Pisa is an enrichment.
The artistic atmosphere of European music culture from Bach to the music of today fills this place. We live an everyday international cultural exchange: The core team consists of different nationalities (Austria, Germany, Italy) and is happy about any other cultural input.
A large part of life in the monastery takes place at the common dining table in the kitchen or refectory, where we exchange ideas and learn from each other.
Help
There is a lot of different tasks to do:
With 2500 square meters, 40 bedrooms, 6 music rooms, 1 library, a church, an inner courtyard, a refectory (big dining hall), a winter garden and a wine cellar there is a lot of help needed inside.
For example, help in the kitchen is more than welcome.

Also, outside the monastery there is a variety of things to take care off. A few examples:
- Gardening (roses lining the access road to the monastery, herb garden, flowerbeds, small fruit and vegetable garden, square in front of the church…)
- Control and maintenance of fences against wild animals
- Clearing the access roads (green cuttings, racking)
- Responsibility for firewood
- Care of the dogs (if you are comfortable with it)

What is particularly interesting for musicians:
In return for your help the music rooms are available to use.
Also, anyone interested in the conceptual and content work of the Academy is very welcome (composition, workshop support, event planning)

A driver's license can be very useful. So, our vehicles can be used to help us with shopping and courier trips.
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
This host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
You will find accommodation in one of many comfortably equipped bedrooms. Single-, double- twin rooms – everything is possible as required.
Each corridor has bathrooms that can be shared with the other flatmates. Each room is equipped with a washbasin. Most of the time we share meals in our cozy kitchen with all the inhabitants of the monastery. We are used to vegetarians, vegans or will help you with any diet you prefer.
However, there can also be the possibility to prepare your own meals.
The next bus- and train station in Ponte a Moriano is only 3,5 km away and there is always a possibility for lifts and pick-ups.
It’s a wonderful area to go walking and hiking and for bikers it’s the perfect place to stay.
What else ...
We are looking for a german speaking person who is interested in staying in the monastery for arround 6 month and helpig with a book project.

We are looking for a experienced répétiteur (correpetitor/vocal coach) who is interested in living in Tuscany for a while and helping us with our music activities.

We are looking for a musician who is familiar with one of the current music notation softwares (Finale/Sibelius) to support us in various composition projects.

Please contact us for further information.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Photos

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Feedback left by and about host (17)

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)

Cultural exchange:
(5.0)

Communication:
(5.0)

29/11/2021

Left by Workawayer (Tanner) for host

It's hard to put into words how special this experience was. Originally, this workaway was unavailable at the time but Christin was kind enough to let me stay for a week as they needed extra help for an event and I wanted to take some videos of the area. I ended up staying longer and it was a very rewarding experience! The whole staff and other… read more

(Excellent )

20/09/2021

Left by host for Workawayer (Cindy)

it has been a pleasure having Cindy with us. in no time she became a part of the familiy and helped us wherever shewas needed. She got along with everyone perfectly and was a very positiv element! Thanks again Cindy. We hope to see you soon!!!

(Excellent )

04/08/2021

Left by Workawayer (Cindy) for host

I stayed for 3 weeks in July 2021 and it was an incredible experience. I would’ve stayed much longer if I didn’t have to go back to work!

Christine is such a wonderful person - she's so busy between her work and co-ordinating the teams of staff and Workawayers but she always had time for us, all our questions and for a chat and with such good… read more

(Excellent )

22/07/2021

Left by Workawayer (Gabrielle) for host

I really enjoyed my stay at the monastery, first, a month and a half and then I came back for another month and a half and then I will definitely come back at least for few days in august to say hi and give a little hand !
The team up there is really nice. I spent most of my time with Paulo and Diogo from Sao Paolo who are quasi family at the… read more

(Excellent )

18/03/2021

Left by Workawayer (Walter & Soledad) for host

Living in this wonderful Monastery was one of the most interesting and incredible experiences of our lives! We are a family of 4, my husband, 2 young children and myself. For almost 5 months we were lucky enough to live in this old Monastery, enjoying the beauty of the place, the food, and the pleasant company of all who are part of this project.… read more

(Excellent )

17/08/2020

Left by Workawayer (Emilie & Edward) for host

Quarantine 2020; we found ourselves "trapped" in this convent, and it was truly a beautiful dream during a time that was surely a nightmare for many others.

The many cosy spots, and the many stunning larger spaces inside, the beautiful views of the natural surroundings outside; there seems to be a place for any mood/desire you may have, and more… read more than enough personal space if you need some alone time (valuable during quarantine!).
Plus the various adjoining properties all have a charm of their own.

The household is run in a very precise way, but it’s easy to learn and the precision helps reduce misunderstanding/confusion. German efficiency ;)
The work here was always inherently interesting in some way or another due to the impressive buildings (especially from an Australian perspective), and the many diverse plants (especially the edible plants!) The responsibilties largely fall into the categories of “housekeeper” or “groundskeeper”. Occasionally the subject-matter of the work might be a little more intellectual if your skill set may aid in an Accademia di Montegral project.

Workawayers are given more than ample free time for real relaxation, exploration and/or creativity.
Ed, as a musician/producer, was able to set up a consistent creative space and productive routine, and had the chance to collaborate with other workawayers. One of these collaborative projects is still continuing, and taking shape into an EP release.
Emilie found the inspiration (and space) for painting and dancing.
Both of us made use of the many pianos which offered an opportunity for real improvement of musical ability and understanding. A different piano room for every day of the week!

Then there’s the family!
We were always made to feel so welcome and supported while still retaining our independence. Communal meal times are often accompanied by stories that give an insight into an incredible and international world that we previously knew nothing about. It’s a truly multilingual household and it’s normal to hear Italian, German and English every day. When gathering-restrictions allow, there are often interesting musical/academic guests. On the whole, the “vibe” in Convento Dell’Angelo helps one find a healthy balance between Dionysian and Apollonian lifestyles. Having celebrated Easter and various birthdays together, we grew to feel as though we were part of the family, and both hope to visit again someday in the future. Emilie and I had considerable travel problems during our stay, and the family were extremely helpful and accommodating while these issues were dealt with.

Stella the dog is a great companion and will be your best friend if you take her for walks! ;)

(Excellent )

26/07/2020

Left by Workawayer (Dominic) for host

My stay at the convent was a real life-changing experience! I stayed with the family for about seven months in joy and harmony.

As an artist and a composer, I couldn’t have dreamed of a better place to spend those times. This was aided by the many rooms where I could make music and practice piano, and for the great acoustics, but mostly for the… read more

(Excellent )

13/07/2020

Left by Workawayer (Emma) for host

I really enjoyed my stay in the wonderfull monastery. Christin and Gustav are both really warm and caring people and so is their sweet daughter Marie. I enjoyed our conversations. The monastery itself is astonishing. It's worth a trip for just experiencing its unique atmosphere. Everybody has enough space to live because of the size of the… read more

(Excellent )

02/03/2020

Left by Workawayer (Maxwell G. & Gabriel L.) for host

We spent about three months living at the monastery. It was a wonderful experience. The staff: Giovanni, Christina, and Ilaria were super friendly.

It was interesting to spend time with Gustav as he has many stories to tell and also has an edgy sense of humor, which we enjoyed. Christin is helpful and almost always happy to lend one of the cars… read more

(Excellent )

29/02/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Maxwell G. & Gabriel L.)

Maxwell and Gabriel stayed 3 month with us and we had a real good time with them. At the beginning we were a little scared of their strict vegan without sugar diet, but they just integrated it in a way it never disturbed- except perhaps sometimes the new intense garlic perfume around us ...:) They were always positive and open to learn and they… read more

(Excellent )

01/03/2020

Left by Workawayer (Phillip & Ruby) for host

Words really can't describe our amazing experience at the Monastery over the 4 weeks.
This was our first Workaway and from arriving and seeing the epic neo-classical building on the drive up, to helping out with the festival and the countless tasks that keep the monastery running at full steam.. it seemed like Ruby and I were absolutely in our… read more

(Excellent )

29/02/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Phillip & Ruby)

Ruby & Phil supported us for nearly 4 weeks.
Whether garden works (cutting wine, weeding, clearing roads, taking care of the fire wood) or indoor cleaning, kitchen work or groceries, there was nothing they couldn't do.
They hardly needed any training, saw which tasks had to be done and did them reliably and independently.
And they were always in… read more

(Excellent )

29/02/2020

Left by Workawayer (David) for host

i stayed 3 weeks in the monastary and had a wonderful time there. i was the first workawayer visiting but the family, fransika and the other people working in the monastary where all very friendly and made it very easy to intergrate and help whereever needed.
while in the monastary i helped in the garden, cleaning indoors and preparing food while… read more

(Excellent )

29/02/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (David)

David was our first “workawayer”. He spent 3 weeks with us and it felt as if he had always been there. He was involved from the very first moment and was a valuable support both in the garden and in the house. He felt very responsible for his tasks and we could absolutely rely on him. We are very happy we have got to know him.

(Excellent )

29/02/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Matteo)

Matteo has spend two month with us at the monastery. Everybody liked him a lot and we loved his pasta con pomodorini, acciughe. He helped us very much outside cleaning the ditches along the road, cleaning the little vineyard, cutting plants, but he also helped inside if necessary. He even knew how to use a bobcat! He is a openminded an generous… read more

(Excellent )

29/02/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Valentina)

Valentina spent 1.5 months with us in the monastery. She arrived while we were preparing for a festival and supported us immediately. As an interpreter between the international “workawayers” and our Italian staff she was super helpful. But also in all other matters she was a great help to us. Whether it was cooking, baking, cleaning or other… read more

(Excellent )

28/02/2020

Left by Workawayer (Valentina) for host

I spent five weeks at the monastero and I had a great time. It's a perfect place if you need to study, compose or write. Christine and Gustav are very kind, you can plan with them your avaiability to work, or morning or afternoon. If you need to go to the village they will be very pleased to lend you a car.
Works are many and different, dipend on… read more

(Excellent )

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