Historic Estate with Guest Houses in the Bolognese hills Occupying one of the most elevated and scenic positions in the Bolognese hills, this historic estate brings together centuries of history, remarkable flexibility and far-reaching views across the surrounding countryside. Originally dating back to the 15th century, the property extends across approximately 570 sq.m. and comprises four independent buildings set within around 3.8 hectares of private grounds, including landscaped gardens, open meadows and woodland. What distinguishes the estate is not only its historical character, but also the versatility of its configuration: the combination of a substantial main residence, 2 independent guest apartments and an additional outbuilding creates a property capable of adapting to a wide range of lifestyles and projects, from a private family compound to a hospitality venture or multigenerational residence. Despite its distinctly rural setting, the estate remains surprisingly well connected, with Bologna city centre and the international airport. Main Building The principal residence represents the historical heart of the estate, unfolding across multiple levels that follow the natural contours of the hillside rather than a conventional floorplan. This creates a home with a distinctive sense of character, where reception spaces, private accommodation and quieter retreat areas are distributed organically throughout the house. Extending across approximately 340 sq.m., the villa balances the atmosphere of a historic country residence with the comfort expected of a modern home, offering a layout equally suited to family life, entertaining and longer stays. Ground Floor: The entrance level is dedicated to the main living areas of the villa. A generous living room and formal dining room create the principal reception spaces of the house, both characterised by a strong sense of history and proportion. The floor includes a fully equipped eat-in kitchen, designed for everyday living as well as entertaining. A separate TV lounge provides a more informal setting, while a guest bathroom completes the floor. Lower Ground Floor: The first lower-ground level accommodates a spacious secondary living room, creating an additional area for relaxation and everyday living. An adjoining office further enhances the versatility of this floor, making it equally suited to remote working, reading or quieter daily activities. Also on this level are 2 double bedrooms, both with en-suite bathrooms, together with a dressing room and connecting hallway that complete the accommodation. Second Lower Ground Floor: The lowest level of the villa is dedicated to a further bedroom with its own en-suite bathroom. Positioned away from the principal living areas, this space offers an additional degree of independence and privacy, making it particularly suitable for guests or extended family members. The Annexes Complementing the main villa are 2 independent annexes, one of which was created through the complete reconstruction of the estate’s former stable building. The intervention successfully preserved and enhanced a number of original architectural features, most notably the characteristic terracotta latticework, a traditional element of rural architecture that continues to give the buildings a strong sense of identity and connection to the estate’s historical origins. Today, one of annexes provides a fully independent accommodation, creating valuable flexibility for hosting guests, extended family members, staff or hospitality-related use, while remaining fully integrated within the wider estate. Annex One The first annex occupies the estate’s former stable building and has been carefully reconstructed while preserving a number of its original architectural features, most notably the characteristic terracotta latticework that continues to reflect the property’s rural heritage. Today, the building accommodates two fully independent apartments, providing valuable flexibility for guest accommodation, extended family members or hospitality-related use. Ground Floor Apartment Extending to approximately 90 sq.m., the ground floor apartment is organised around an open-plan living area that combines the kitchen and sitting room within a single space, alongside 2 bedrooms, one double and one single, a bathroom, a storage room and a hallway. A private covered porch extends the living space outdoors, creating a pleasant setting for dining or relaxing during the warmer months. The lower-ground floor accommodates a cellar, providing useful additional storage space. First Floor Apartment The first-floor apartment extends to approximately 90 sq.m.. The layout includes an open-plan living area with kitchen and sitting room, a bedroom, a bathroom, a hallway and a storage room, creating a comfortable and fully independent residence. One of the defining features of this apartment is its large panoramic terrace, which enjoys open views across the surrounding hills and represents one of the most attractive outdoor spaces within the estate. Annex Two A further addition to the estate is an independent outbuilding of approximately 50 sq.m. currently configured as a single open-plan space. What distinguishes this building is its remarkable internal volume, with ceiling heights ranging from 3.6 to 5 metres, creating a bright and versatile environment with considerable architectural potential. While currently registered as a storage building, the structure presents a range of possible future uses, from an artist’s studio or wellness space to guest accommodation, a home office or an additional living area, subject to the necessary planning and urbanistic approvals. Its flexibility and generous proportions make it a valuable complementary asset within the wider estate, offering opportunities for future adaptation according to the owner’s needs. The estate is presented in excellent condition and benefits from a combination of historical character and carefully upgraded infrastructure designed to support both residential and hospitality use. Within the main villa, handcrafted lime-based pastellone finishes have been applied throughout both the interiors and exterior façades, creating a refined and organic aesthetic while enhancing the breathability and overall comfort of the living spaces. The villa further benefits from underfloor heating throughout, high-performance double-glazed windows and doors, and a level of comfort rarely associated with historic rural properties. One of the estate’s most distinctive features is its high degree of technical autonomy. Water is supplied through a private system comprising a main cistern with a capacity of approximately 100,000 litres, supplemented by an additional 10,000-litre reserve and a professional reverse-osmosis filtration system. The property also benefits from a 10 kW electrical installation, including both three-phase and single-phase power, together with a dedicated backup generator that guarantees continuity in the event of power interruptions. The 2 annexes are independently heated through radiator systems, providing flexibility for guest accommodation or hospitality use. Connectivity is ensured through a high-speed EOLO wireless internet connection, complemented by GSM-based telephony, intercom systems and modern communications infrastructure. Additional technical features include a septic tank system and double-glazed windows throughout all residential units. The Garden The estate extends across approximately 3.8 hectares of private land, creating a natural setting that combines landscaped areas, open meadows and mature woodland. For buyers seeking additional land, the ownership also includes neighbouring parcels that are not part of the current sale but may be acquired separately, offering the possibility of expanding the estate to approximately 15 hectares in total. This represents an interesting opportunity for those wishing to further enhance the property’s privacy, pursue agricultural projects or consolidate the surrounding landscape under a single ownership. The Location Positioned in the hills above Sasso Marconi, the estate enjoys a privileged location at approximately 460 metres above sea level, with panoramic views that extend across the Bolognese hills, from the surroundings of Sasso Marconi towards the Valsamoggia valley and beyond. Located approximately 17 km south of Bologna, Sasso Marconi is often considered the gateway to the Bolognese Apennines, occupying a strategic position between Bologna, Modena and Florence. This makes the area particularly appealing for those seeking a more natural environment without sacrificing accessibility. The town is closely associated with the legacy of Guglielmo Marconi, whose pioneering experiments in wireless communication were conducted here. Today, visitors can explore a network of sites connected to his life and work, including the Marconi Museum, Villa Griffone and the Colle dei Celestini, where some of his earliest experiments took place. The surrounding territory is equally attractive for outdoor enthusiasts. Several of the most celebrated walking routes in the region pass through Sasso Marconi, including the historic Via degli Dei, which links Bologna to Florence across the Apennines, as well as the Via della Lana e della Seta and the Linea Gotica trails. Food culture remains deeply rooted in local life, blending the culinary traditions of Emilia-Romagna with the produce of the surrounding hills. Fresh pasta, local cured meats, crescentine and tigelle are regional staples, while the area is also known for its prized white truffles, celebrated during the autumn season. For residents and guests alike, the location offers a combination of landscape, culture, gastronomy and accessibility that is increasingly difficult to find so close to Bologna. EPC Rating: G Energy Performance Index (IPE): 295,76 kwh/sq.m.*year EPC Rating: G Energy Performance Index (IPE): 266,66 kwh/sq.m.*year EPC Rating: G Energy Performance Index (IPE): 254,57 kwh/sq.m.*year Why Buy It Few properties are able to combine historical character, operational flexibility and proximity to a major city as successfully as this estate. Its configuration is one of its greatest strengths: the presence of a substantial main villa, 2 independent annexes and an additional outbuilding creates opportunities that extend far beyond traditional residential use, whether as a multigenerational family estate, a hospitality venture, a private retreat or a combination of these functions. Its position further enhances the appeal: while surrounded by the landscapes of the Bolognese hills and the wider Apennine countryside, the estate remains within easy reach of Bologna, offering a balance between accessibility and a sense of removal that is increasingly difficult to replicate. The existing guest accommodation, together with the potential offered by the third annex and the possibility of acquiring additional land, provides considerable scope for future development and personalisation. For buyers seeking a property with history, flexibility and long-term potential, rather than simply a country house, this estate represents a particularly distinctive opportunity. Distances Closest Borgo with services: 8,5 km Airport of Bologna: 28,4 km Bologna: 29 km Modena: 57,3 km Imola: 73,6 km Ferrara: 76,9 km Reggio Emilia: 85,4 km Brisighella: 101 km Firenze: 109 km Parma: 109 km Ravenna: 112 km Rimini: 150 km
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