A medieval castle and the hamlet of Serravalle, about half-way in between Milan and Bologna, is up for sale.
Set in green rolling hills, the castle comes with a part of the village, which bears the same name. The well-maintained estate is now rented out for private events and conferences but the current owners aren’t able to deal with the day-to-day running of the extensive property.
For the price of a two bedroom in Chelsea, you get an ancient fortification of 1,800 square-meters that includes,
- majestic castle, that once hosted Charlemagne on his way to Rome to be crowned emperor, built on the ruins of pagan settlements
- three-level 18th century stately palace called Palazzo Boccadiferro
- two-story heated hunting lodge (winters are cold in Serravalle)
- four-story lookout tower built in 1227 (modified in 1523) It needs some repairs
- secret underground passage that links the tower to the palace (used by guards fleeing from enemy attack)
- scenic panoramic walkway
- lush 14,000 square-meter park
- Renaissance-style furniture and paintings, not included
Paolo Giacopini, the agent handling the sale, told CNN,
Not only is it very convenient, roughly down to 1,000 euros per square meter, it has enormous potential both as a private, silent retreat to unplug in, or as an investment to turn it into a resort.
The charm and panorama are matchless, surrounded by vineyards, in a strategic location between the two top cities of Emilia Romagna, a wonderful region which is often wrongly eclipsed by Tuscany when it comes to castles and manors.”
It also comes with ghosts, apparently. According to local lore the castle is haunted by a Boccadiferro lord said to have killed all 12 of his wives. Their spirits roam the corridors and halls at night, whiffs of their perfume in the air.
Giacopini says these are mere tales.
The deceased brother of the current owner wrote a research pamphlet on the place’s history and found out that Boccadiferro was so in love with his one wife he had her portrait painted several times in different attire, so it seemed like there were many women but it was always only her.”
The property is surrounded by farmhouse taverns called agriturismi, and there are also vineyards producing premium wines.
And possibly best of all, Serravalle has an outlet mall! (Ever been to an Italian outlet mall? Heaven.)
Have a look around. It can all be yours for $2 million. For more info and photos go here.
(Photos, Paolo Giacopini Immobiliare/Conforti Immobiliare; via CNN)
