San Pietro sopra le Acque (St. Peter’s over the Waters) is an early 17th century convent decorated with beautiful frescoes authentically restored to their original splendour by highly skilled restorers by means of an intelligent philological restoration, conforming to preservation principles set by the Central Restoration Institute of Rome.
Half way up a hill and surrounded by an ancient wood of oaks and elms, it is immersed in the unique silence of the Umbrian countryside, rich in spirituality and musicality.
The name “over the waters” clearly indicates that St. Peter’s was built in a place rich in water. It is near abundant springs, lifegiving waters.
This, together with its prominent position overlooking the valley, makes one think that already in Etruscan times, where St. Peter’s stands today, there might once have been a building designated for sacred purposes.
Fragments and small archaeological findings seem to confirm this fascinating hypothesis.
The building was originally intended to be a Capuchin convent erected on a pre-existing medieval church, and was an important religious and cultural centre of the Massa Martana area; it is a place that has been a centre of culture and sanctity for thousands of years, providing peace and serenity to its guests.
It became private property in the middle of the last century and started to take on the structure and functionality of a gentlemen’s residence from which the present hotel was born.
It has a large car park, Italian rose garden as well as a park with age-old trees. The complex includes an interesting archaeological trail on an old Roman necropolis with a consecrated church: an ideal setting for ceremonies in a unique and fascinating environment.