Umbria, Spoleto - Freehold/Price on application

Ref: ADA48

The development of this fascinating building took place over a period of more than 500 years from the 11th to the 16th century. At first there was a watch tower forming part of the outlying defences of Spoleto. In the 13th century this was extended by perimeter walls making a small square courtyard which to this day is a very attractive feature. By the 16th century the need for military defence was declining and the building began to take the form of a nobleman’s residence, with a long narrow building being added, which was developed upwards with the delightful arched loggia running along its length which gives the structure the unmistakable character it has today.

These remarkable edifices, together with the remaining buildings in the same complex form a very large property with about 1000 sq m gross of covered buildings, plus a further 800 sq m of annexes and paved terraces. Here the owners have created a delightful residence for themselves which incorporates the original tower with 2 guest suites, as well as a further 5 apartments forming a Relais de Charme or boutique hotel which has provided a good living down the years, with the possibility of a further apartment in an annexe, once a chapel, which is the only part of the property still to be restored.

The owners always had in mind that a future owner might wish to keep the complex entirely for private use and the building has been designed in such a way that it can be transformed into a very large single residence with minimal work and cost. The layout of the property is inevitably complex, but for purposes of description it can be divided into 5 structures as follows:

- The Owners’ House consisting of 3 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and the delightful internal courtyard referred to above as well as spacious reception rooms, and the Tower which has 2 suites each with 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom and a kitchen/ living area.

- The Loggiato with 3 apartments and 4/5 bedrooms overall.

- The Piazzetta apartment entered from a little square in the borgo itself, with 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a kitchen and separate living room.

- The Villa, actually an independent building within the complex, with 2/3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen and 2 reception rooms. It has a private entrance.

- The Priest’s House or ex-chapel with planning permission for 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom and a kitchen/living room. The restoration work was carried out in close co-operation with the Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali (the Italian equivalent of English Heritage), using traditional materials and with great sensitivity towards the architectural importance of the buildings. Le Logge is an excellent example of how to combine historical authenticity with modern comfort and technology.

Building size: 1800m²

Grounds and other features

The buildings face onto a private and fenced garden of about 0,4 ha or 1,5 acres, enjoying excellent views over the surrounding olive-clad hills and the Vale of Umbria below. Paved paths lead around the garden and to the large infinity swimming pool. There are both private and public parking spaces around the property. Mains services are connected.

Perugia airport with direct flights to London can be reached in 30 minutes, and trains from nearby Spoleto take just over 1 hour to reach central Rome.