Luxury villas for sale Gualdo Cattaneo, Italy

Villa Torre del Grifone, Perugia. The property is located just 7 km outside of the City-centre of Perugia, in a dominant position completely isolated from the surrounding main roads. The main Villa, as well as various other outbuildings, are located within the 5 ha of Italian gardens and the 4 ha of agricultural land, make this a truly unique property. The original construction of the villa developed around a 15th century from an ancient watch-tower. In 1700 the property belonged to the family of the Marquises of Monaldi, who had a large house with a garden built as their formal residency. Later, at the beginning of the 20th century it passed to the Bartoccini family and then to the Church priory of Perugia. Only in the 1930s, did the Villa return to its ancient use, once it was purchased by Count Francesco Maria Guardabassi, a versatile and eclectic artist, who bought the property and entrusted its renovation to the famous architect Ugo Tarchi from Rome. It was then subsequently adapted to the elegant and flamboyant appearance that it maintains today. At the outbreak of the Second World War the villa was leased to the Bulgari family, founders of the famous jewelry brand from Rome, and ended up becoming the army headquarters of the German forces, during the occupation (1943-1944), and then by the Allied troops during the Liberation of Italy (1944-1945). In 1989, after four decades of decay and abandon, the property was purchased by the Petrini family who restored it to its ancient splendor with a full renovation of the main villa, the re-generated Italian gardens and private park with pool.

Italy, Umbria - We are pleased to be able to offer for sale an enchanting villa with swimming pool and dependance in Avigliano Umbro - About 30 years ago the current owners, after having spent their holidays in a property in the far north of Sardinia, they were looking for a real estate investment that had the following characteristics: Easy connection with Rome at any time of the year; Uncontaminated and favorable environment for the best relaxation; Proximity to centers of high artistic and cultural interest for short excursions; Possibility of reaching the most important cities in the north center in a few hours. The publication of a research produced by an American university, had classified Todi as the most livable city in Italy, led them to focus their research in this district, where they came into contact with a member of the Corsini family of Florence, owner of 400 years of a vast farm around the Sismano Castle. The negotiations were not easy, as in the same period both one of the best-known entrepreneurs in the Italian sports federations and the best-known national pop music composer had expressed an interest in purchasing the same area identified, looking for a area where to set up a European music center. Having passed this competition and proceeded to purchase an area of approx. 13 hectares with overhanging 2 buildings, the owners began to put their hands on costly conversion work of the farmhouses (the main building had been abandoned for years) into a manor house. Completed the fencing of the entire property and the creation of a new access road, it was maintained on approx. 8 hectares the agricultural destination, which allows you to take advantage of community contributions, while the remaining land has been transformed into a luxuriant park with the planting of hundreds of tall trees (including over 200 olive trees) and flowering plants, with a prevalence of roses. Here and there there are some fountains that accentuate the atmosphere of peace, a simple garden with an abundance of aromatic herbs and a vegetable garden, both paved for easier progress, with an artistic gazebo. An articulated swimming pool area has been created, while the complete renovation of the buildings has combined the maximum functionality of the systems with the refinement of the furnishings and furniture (one of the owners is an established international interior decorator). The most important Umbrian artistic and cultural centers are between 10 and 60 km, Perugia with Umbria Jazz, Spoleto and Todi with their festivals, Montefalco, Assisi, Bevagna, Orvieto, Narni and Spello. Rome 120 km away is also easily reachable by train from Terni (12 km) and Florence is 200 km away.