Podere Il Cerro
As of September 1st, 2026, Reading Retreats in Rural Italy has moved from La Macchina Fissa (Borgo Virgilio, Mantua) to "Podere Il Cerro" (Lugagnano Val d'Arda), our new home in the hills above the medieval town of Castell'Arquato.
Il Cerro was last used as a vacation home and horse ranch and still has a somewhat "ranchy" 80's look that we will slowly soften (or celebrate) as we transform the interiors and garden. Clark's collection of rare plants, contemporary art, antiques, and his library of nearly 8,000 books creates a welcoming atmosphere that has settled comfortably into five different locations in rural Italy.
Main facade of Podere Il Cerro in the hills of Val d'Arda
A Ranch House in the Hills
Il Cerro was last used as a vacation home and horse ranch, retaining an authentic 1980s character that we are slowly softening and celebrating as we transform the interiors.
The atmosphere is informal, peaceful, and grounded in the quiet rhythm of the surrounding hills.
One of the interior rooms during preparation and furnishing
Living Spaces & Bedrooms
The house features two kitchens, five bedrooms, three bathrooms, and two expansive covered porches that catch the cool summer breezes.
There is generous space for communal cooking, shared dinners, and quiet reading nooks throughout the house.
The entrance gate welcoming guests into the property
Books, Art & Antiques
Clark's library of nearly 8,000 books and curated collection of contemporary art have found their new home.
Every corner of the house is filled with literature on art, gardening, history, and fiction, inviting guests to slow down and immerse themselves in uninterrupted reading.
Exterior walls and hillside windows looking out onto the valley
A Creative Community
Podere Il Cerro is not a hotel; it is a cultural retreat and private home where guests, artists, and friends participate in daily life together.
Whether setting the table, preparing a meal, or joining in restoration projects, visitors become part of the ongoing story.
Side of the house with rustic hay bales, ladder, and potted plants
Our Thirty-Year Journey
Since 1996, Reading Retreats has welcomed bibliophiles across five distinct seats: from the Castle of Galeazza to Corte Eremo, La Macchina Fissa, and now Podere Il Cerro.
The spirit of warmth, conversation, and hospitality remains as vibrant as ever.
The beautiful hills nearby
Visiting in 2026 & 2027
This fall is dedicated to Family & Friends who are eager to help with settling in, painting, and gardening.
Beginning in January 2027, our doors open to all guests and readers ready for a restorative retreat.
Vibrant sunflower fields adjoining Podere Il Cerro
The Hillside Setting
Perched at 400 to 500 meters of altitude in the rolling hills of Lugagnano Val d'Arda, the property enjoys refreshing mountain breezes and crisp, luminous air.
The panoramic views over the medieval valley provide an open, peaceful setting for walking and reflection.
Central corridor between the thirty horse stalls
Thirty Horse Stables & Barns
The equestrian infrastructure includes thirty spacious horse stalls, a large barn, a hayloft, and a comprehensive tool shed.
These rustic outbuildings offer fantastic potential for future art studios, workshops, exhibitions, and musical gatherings.
Golden hour across the sunflower fields and surrounding hills
A Fresh Botanical Sanctuary
Clark's celebrated collection of rare plants and seeds has made the journey to Val d'Arda.
Over the coming seasons, unusual perennials, flowering climbers, peonies, and heritage vegetables will take root across new terraces, courtyards, and garden borders.
The expansive stables complex on the estate grounds
Vineyards, Pond & Woodlands
Beyond the garden beds, the estate encompasses vineyards, paddocks, mature woodland, a chicken coop, and a tranquil little pond.
There is plenty of room for our goats, birds, visiting guests, and countless outdoor discoveries.
Wide open countryside with hay bales and soaring birds of prey
Wildlife & Nature
The open sky above the estate is frequented by buzzards, falcons, and eagles, while the woods shelter owls, pheasants, and butterflies.
It is an ideal landscape for outdoor reading, painting, or simply watching the light shift across the hills.
Interior perspective of the horse stalls
Open for Exploration
Surrounding trails lead down toward the historic borgo of Castell'Arquato and the natural parks of Val d'Arda.
Guests can step directly from our gates into scenic country walks, cycling routes, and local vineyards.
We are excited to share this new chapter with you! Whether you join our autumn working caravans or plan a retreat in the new year, Podere Il Cerro awaits.