Town house for sale in Civita Di Bagnoregio, Lazio, Italy

The amazing hill-top position of both the property and the village of Civita di Bagnoregio itself is dramatic and spectacular, providing magnificent views over the adjoining valley. Access is via a footbridge, 600 metres in length, along which a council operated tractor provides a daily delivery service of heavy and bulky items.

The town house is formed from the southern wing of Palazzo Alemanni, one of the most important buildings in the village. The present owner has some archival information, which confirms the construction of the palace at around 1520. An olive mill was then installed into the ground floor, of which the press, grindstone and manger for the donkey still remain.

The rest of the ground floor provides a country style kitchen with a fireplace, as well as a good modern Bosch electric oven and gas hob, and including an adjacent dining area. There is a guest toilet with shower and a laundry/mill room containing a Bosch washing machine and a Vaillant gas fired central heating boiler, installed as part of the renovation works.

The first floor comprises the salon, which has a large fireplace, and a study or fourth bedroom, also having a fireplace. The top floor has three bedrooms, all with en-suite bathrooms. One bedroom has a Juliet balcony and its bathroom has a second door providing access from the landing. The largest bedroom has a mezzanine level, presently housing a double futon and a desk.

The present owner bought the property in 2006 and undertook a programme of complete renovation, from top to bottom, all work being carried out to an extremely high standard. This included the installation of new plumbing, a period electrical system and modern roof insulation. Full documentation of all the renovation work is available.

Evidence of the obvious age of the property is to be seen everywhere, with enormous chestnut beams throughout the building, fine exposed stonework and much more. The renovation programme was undertaken in a way to ensure that these important features were sympathetically restored.

The property does not include outside ownership, but the owner enjoys the use of the adjoining grassy knoll, which covers an Etruscan tomb. This is perfect for sitting in the sun in deck chairs and for the dining table and chairs for al fresco meals or cocktails. The owner rents a garage in the village.

The property is registered for Bed & Breakfast use and there is considerable scope to expand this activity, taking advantage of the fact that the village itself is an important tourist attraction, which often results in a feeling that you reside in a living museum.

Civita DI bagnoregio

Originally, there were two separate villages, Civita and Bagnoregio, Civita being the more important, although Bagnoregio is the more dominant part today. Civita was probably founded by the Etruscans some 2500 years ago and there are Etruscan remains in evidence.

They include caves at the east end of town, one of which was made into a chapel, called the Chapel of the Incarcerated; the Romanesque arch at the village entrance, believed to be about 2500 years old, and the columns to be found in the piazza. The church on the piazza is on the site of an Etruscan temple, which was later replaced by a Roman temple.

There are shops and a supermarket in the Bagnoregio area, which is just five minutes from the property, whilst both parts have cafes and restaurants. Indeed, the village is noted for its wine and gastronomic tours, whilst a number of the properties are the holiday homes of important and notable Italians. High class boutique hotels cater for some of the visitors. A bus service connects Bagnoregio and the renowned city of Orvieto, 20 km away.

At Orvieto, reached by car in 20 minutes, you join the motorway to Rome, a journey of an hour and twenty minutes. Other approximate journey times are Montefiascone - 15 minutes, Viterbo - 25 minutes, Lake Bolsena - 20 minutes, Pescia Romana, the closest beach on the Mediterranean - an hour and 20 minutes, Florence - two hours, Siena - an hour and 45 minutes, Civitavecchiaport - one hour 35 mins, Fiumicino Airport - an hour and 40 minutes and Ciampino Airport - one hour, 35 minutes.

Important notice

These details are provided and intended as a general guide only and do not form a contract or any part of a contract. Intending buyers must make their own investigations and are advised to take appropriate independent legal advice. The final sale price may vary due to currency exchange fluctuations.

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