VILLA LANDOLFI
Set on hills planted with olive trees, Villa Landolfi enjoys absolute tranquillity and an exceptional panorama of the sea and the mountains. Its name is a reference to the activity of its owners, musicians (Carlo Landolfi was a famous violin maker), as well as to the privileged links between Crete and Italian culture. It is located within a fifteen minute drive of some of Crete's most famous beaches and historical sites, as well as of all the shops, restaurants and services. Designed by the Athenian firm Stavropoulou Architects, built in 2022 and furnished by local craftsmen, it is one of the few architectural villas in Crete to incorporate eco-design principles into its design and materials. Its sleek design, 200 square metres of living space, large terraces and pergolas and a swimming pool - river on a 4,000 square metre plot of land make it an ideal place to stay for 6 to 8 people.
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In the olive grove,
between Sivas and Listaros
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Villa Landolfi is located in the olive grove between the villages of Sivas and Listaros, on the southern coast of Crete. Its exceptional panorama extends over the Libyan Sea, with the islands of Gavdos, Paximadia and the Gulf of Timbaki, the fertile plain of Messara, Mount Ida (Psiloritis), the highest point of the island with its snow-covered peaks for half the year, and the White Mountains. Within a fifteen minute drive are three of Crete's most beautiful beaches: Matala, famous for its sheltered bay with honey-coloured cliffs and its harbour village marked by the hippie culture; Komos, with the all-season tranquillity of its miles of sand and ancient ruins amidst the dunes; Kalamaki, a family-friendly resort where time seems to have stood still For hikers and off-roaders, paths and tracks lead to dozens of other beaches as sumptuous as they are secluded: Red Beach, where ochre and orange compete with the blue of the sky and the sea; Agio Farago, a silver pool at the end of an impressive gorge planted with laurel trees; Vathi, like a foretaste of the end of the world... Also fifteen minutes away, several exceptional historical sites: the Palace of Phaestos, the most famous of the Minoan palaces along with Knossos, whose rival it was; the Villa of Agia Triada, one of the best preserved monuments left by this mysterious civilisation; Gortyne, a Greco-Roman city which ruled the destinies of Crete and Libyan Cyrenaica; the Byzanto-Venetian monastery of Odigitria, remarkable for its frescoes and icons as well as for its wild environment The villages and landscapes of the Asteroussias Mountains, on which the Villa is built, are among the most preserved in Crete and offer endless possibilities for discovery, both on foot and by car. Matala and Kalamaki have many tavernas by the sea, but the tastiest are often those in small villages in the countryside. The villages of Mires and Pitsidia have all the shops and services (health, bank, equipment...) available in all seasons. The market of Mires is particularly renowned for the agricultural products of the Messara valley and the mountains. Heraklion International Airport is a 50-minute drive from Villa Landolfi. Day trips include the Cretan capital, the historic city of Rethymnon, an ascent to the 2,456 metre high Psiloritis, the wild gorge of Zaros, the medieval villages of the Amari Valley, the secluded beaches of Triopetra... If public transport is available in Crete, a rented car is a must, to get around nearby or further afield.
Life in
the olive gloves
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Villa Landolfi is one of the few houses built in the olive groves that used to belong to the Odigitria monastery, which guarantees peace and quiet in the midst of a lively countryside that has preserved its traditional methods of cultivation. The year passes to the rhythm of the olive, which in Greece is more a religion than a job. This location also offers Villa Landolfi an extremely rare privilege in Crete: miles of walking paths directly accessible from the house, without having to take a car. They will lead you to discover the life of the fields, the ancient trees and the ever-changing views.
The Villa is habitable in all seasons, each with a different charm. The liveliness of the summer, which the tranquillity of its location allows you to participate in or escape. The ideal temperatures of autumn, the perfect time for long swims away from the crowds. The light of mild, sunny winters. The dazzling spring bloom, the most popular time for hikers.
The Villa
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Designed by Elena Stavropoulou, director of the Athenian firm Stavropoulou Architechs, the Villa Landolfi is in keeping with the philosophy of one of the most prominent designers of contemporary Greek architecture.
The building refers to the architecture of traditional houses in the region. It is composed of simple and uncluttered volumes, with plastered surfaces or exposed local stone, with colours in harmony with the shades of the surrounding landscape. Taking advantage of the characteristics of the site, such as the slope of the land and the unobstructed views, a cell has been created that is integrated into the Mediterranean landscape that extends to the sea. The aim is to ensure that human intervention in the natural environment is as unobtrusive as possible.
The interior spaces ensure a pleasant living environment by incorporating the principles of bioclimatic design resulting from the symbiosis with the local environment and climate. Appropriate orientation of the house has been chosen to maximise solar gain during the winter months and ensure adequate shading during the summer months. Through-ventilation of the spaces and continuity between interior and exterior are achieved through large openings that create true picture frames open to all directions. The incorporation of effective thermal insulation limits the use of air conditioning for cooling and heating - even though it is naturally available in all rooms.
To build Villa Landolfi, Stavropoulou Architects enlisted the services of Mospet G.A., a design and construction firm based in Rethymnon, whose founders, Georgios Petsogourakis and Kostas Moschakis, embody a new generation of Cretan entrepreneurs, open to the world and committed to their heritage. Many local craftsmen have contributed to the furnishings and decoration.
