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Have you ever ever dreamed of proudly owning your personal secret citadel in an exquisite area of Italy and strolling alongside its fortified partitions like a monarch surveying his kingdom?
For lower than the worth of a townhouse in central London or a penthouse in historic Rome, that dream can now come true.
The medieval fort and hamlet of Serravalle, midway between the cities of Modena and Bologna in Italy’s northern Emilia Romagna area, is up on the market for 1.9 million euros, or about $2 million.
Already liveable and geared up with heating, it requires minimal repairs – and the worth is negotiable.
Embedded in inexperienced, light hills, the fort lies on the foot of a part of the village of the identical identify, which was as soon as a part of their fiefdom.
What’s up for grabs is the unique overhanging historical fortress of 1,800 sq. meters at a top of 400 meters.
The property consists of the majestic fort constructed on the ruins of pagan settlements, a three-story 18th-century stately palace and a lush 14,000-square-meter park.
“Not solely is it very sensible, roughly as much as 1,000 euros per sq. meter, it has huge potential each as a personal, tranquil retreat to modify off and as an funding to rework it right into a resort,” says Paolo Giacopini of Immobiliare Giacopini. the actual property company dealing with the sale, CNN stated.
“The appeal and the panorama are incomparable, surrounded by vineyards, in a strategic place between the 2 high cities of Emilia Romagna, a beautiful area usually wrongly eclipsed by Tuscany in relation to castles and mansions .”
The well-kept property is presently rented out for personal occasions and conferences, however the present house owners, who want to stay nameless, can not deal with the administration of the intensive property.
They dwell within the fort in the course of the summer season months, says Giacopini, so it is already liveable with heating, kitchen, utilities, fireplaces, a number of bedrooms and loos. The 2-storey searching lodge, constructed as a rustic home, can be heated.
Whereas the fort is immaculately preserved, different components of the property, such because the lookout tower, in-built 1227 and reworked in 1523, might use some repairs.
Lavish Renaissance-style furnishings, together with work, may additionally be on the market.
Giacopini, who takes guests on guided excursions, says the suppliers are open to affords.
He explains that due to its historic and inventive worth, the fort is beneath the supervision of regional arts authorities, which have imposed restrictions on radical structural adjustments equivalent to changing a rest room right into a bed room or vice versa.
Among the historic options add an additional layer of intrigue. A secret underground passage connects the tower to the palace and was as soon as utilized by guards fleeing enemy assaults.
The passage is cool in summer season however freezing in winter. Giacopini says an American shopper who toured the property with him claimed his ft have been nearly frozen in his sneakers.
Serravalle is wealthy in historical past. For hundreds of years, the fortress was on the coronary heart of territorial feuds and struggles in opposition to invaders and neighboring fiefdoms. Earlier than the unification of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861, the nation was divided into many city-states, or communes, every vying for supremacy.
Within the twelfth century the fort was fiercely contested by Modena and Bologna for its strategic navy place. Again then, a fort was a small navy microcosm defending a big a part of the land, farmers and tenants.
The fortress, constructed on the ashes of an historical Roman navy publish known as Verabulum, was conquered and destroyed by the Lombard tribes within the eighth century.
After reconstruction, in line with legend, the fort housed Charlemagne within the ninth century on his approach to Rome to be topped emperor, accompanied by French troops.
Though quiet and peaceable, the property just isn’t completely remoted. The village has a sure social buzz with 40 inhabitants, a frescoed church, a conventional tavern and a wine museum which focuses on native nation life.
A big stone portal embellished with a coat of arms and adorned with statues greets guests on the entrance.
The property has been modernized a number of instances over time. The palace, named after the Boccadiferro household (that means “iron jaws” in Italian), who dominated it for 4 centuries, has been reworked from an historical coated loggia right into a stately mansion. With round 1,151 sq. meters, it’s the largest a part of the property.
Along with the park of the fort, the previous moat that surrounds the hamlet with horse chestnut and ash bushes, there’s additionally a big hanging backyard and courtyards, perfect for night drinks and sundown walks.
There’s a spooky ambiance. In keeping with native lore, the fort and property are haunted by the ghosts of a Boccadiferro lord who is claimed to have killed 12 consecutive wives. Their tormented spirits, plaintive and indignant, are stated to roam the corridors and halls at night time seeking vengeance, leaving a whiff of their fragrance within the air.
Giacopini brushes these off as mere tales.
“The present proprietor’s late brother wrote a analysis pamphlet on the historical past of the place and located that Boccadiferro was so in love along with his solely spouse that he had her portrait painted a number of instances in numerous garments, so it appeared like there have been many ladies besides he was all the time simply her,” he says.
Serravalle is ideal for nature lovers and people desirous to pattern the area’s culinary choices.
The property is surrounded by agricultural taverns known as Agriturismi, serving succulent handmade tagliatelle al ragù and tortellini. There are additionally vineyards that produce premium Pignoletto and DOC Colli Bolognesi wines.
Trekking, biking and horseback driving trails may be discovered within the rural environment, whereas there’s an 18-hole golf course close by.
Additional data and viewing appointments: https://www.paologiacopini.it/ | https://www.confortiimmobiliare.it/
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