Casa Betta

Casa Betta’s journey began in the summer of 2023, when Maysho Prashad, a Guyanese-American architect, acquired the multi-generational, family-owned property from the three surviving brothers.

Located on a scenic hillside in the Commune of Chiusdino, in the Province of Siena, this four-story project is undergoing a meticulous transformation, led by Maysho and master builder Julio Asslani, with the skilled hands of local craftsmen and interior designer Lachmee Chin. The renovation is guided by three core principles:

1. Honor and Preserve Tuscan Architectural Heritage – Integrating and conserving the rich history of the region wherever possible.
2. Enhance the Medieval Fabric of the Commune – Designing a space that complements and enriches the historical landscape, both inside and out.
3. Create a Soulful Sanctuary – Crafting a home that nurtures its occupants and visitors, fostering contentment, happiness, social vibrancy, and a sense of enlightenment.

Named after Betta, the family’s beloved donkey who once lived on the ground floor, Casa Betta will open its doors to family, friends, and guests in the spring of 2026.

Casa Betta is nestled in the charming historic village of Chiusdino, Tuscany, in the province of Siena. Located 30 km southwest of Siena, 70 km south of Florence, and 100 km from Pisa, it is surrounded by thermal baths, nature reserves, historic villages, vineyards, and wineries.

Chiusdino has several notable landmarks, including the Church of San Martino, known as fuori le mura (outside the walls), the Prepositura di San Michele, located near the house where San Galgano was born, and the Church of the Compagnia di San Galgano, home to a striking bas-relief depicting St. Galgano thrusting his sword into a rock.

This very village is also home to the legendary Abbey of San Galgano. The abbey, famed for its roofless structure, is one of Tuscany’s most iconic artistic symbols. It stands as one of Italy's earliest and most remarkable examples of Romanesque and Gothic-Cistercian architecture. The Abbey and its surrounding Hermitage are considered the most significant religious monuments in the Sienese region.

Perched atop an oak-dotted hill, the Hermitage of Montesiepi marks the site where the young knight Galgano di Guidotto retreated in December 1180 to live as a recluse. It was here that he famously drove his sword into a rock, symbolically recreating the cross. The sword remains on display today in the small church of Montesiepi, a lasting testament to this extraordinary act of devotion.