P255: Elegant Historic 11th Century Residence, Very Quiet Village Location, Fully Renovated, 6 Bedrooms, 4 Bathrooms, Stunning Wine Cellar, Romantic Walled Garden with Lovely Views
See also a P255 Picture Gallery with 35 images
Near Asti
This exclusive and elegant property is located in the historic section of a small hilltop village only 10 minutes away from the famous wine town of Asti. It is in easy commuting distance of Turin, and the new 18-hole Feudo di Asti golf course can be reached within 15 minutes. The property enjoys a very quiet and private position, in walking distance from the facilities at the center of the village. The romantic walled garden behind the house is sits on top of the former village defence wall, and overlooks beautiful open countryside.
The house is among the oldest buildings in the village, and has an interesting history: during the 12th century it belonged to the Knights Templar, a military religious order that was based in France and Piedmont. The Knights Templar existed between 1118 and 1312, and its members participated in the seven crusades to the Holy Land.
The nearby historic town of Asti offers excellent shopping facilities, hotels, restaurants, numerous coffee and wine bars, schools and hospitals. The spectacular Palio of Asti - second in popularity only to the better-known one at Siena in Tuscany, but even more ancient - is held on the third weekend in September, followed by the Douja D'Or - a famous wine festival. In the direction of Asti the motorway/freeway/autostrada leading to Turin can be reached by car in 10 minutes. The international airports of Milan, Turin and Genoa are within an hour's drive away.
The House
The house is in an excellent condition and of solid brick construction, built in an U-shape around a wonderful arcaded, private, enclosed inner courtyard. During the summer months the current owner hosts classical concerts in this courtyard. The property includes a huge underground cellar/cantina, a garage and a detatched portico/outbuilding. The house is fully renovated, with central heating, an alarm system, French cotto floors, double-glazed custom windows and doors, and a well.
Accommodation
Main House
The ground floor is accessed from the enclosed and paved inner courtyard via a front door which leads to an entrance hall with 2 reception rooms on the right, one of which is used as a study. To the left the entrance hall leads into a very spacious and elegant living room with a marble fireplace, double doors opening onto the courtyard, and a beautiful arched ceiling that gives it loads of character. The ground floor also houses a modern kitchen, a dining room with a high vaulted ceiling, and a guest bathroom.
The first floor : Open stone laid stairs lead from the ground floor to a galleried landing and a corridor leading to three double bedrooms, one single bedroom and 2 bathrooms. The master bedroom benefits from an open marble fireplace and an en-suite dressing room. The main bathroom is elegantly tiled with Carrara mable. All rooms are spacious, have lots of light and lovely views over the village roofs to the open countryside beyond.
House 2
House 2 is under the same roof as the main house, but is accessed via its own front door from the inner courtyard. The accommodation comprises a spacious live-in kitchen on the ground floor, and 2 double bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor. This independent unit is currently occupied by a caretaker, but could also be used as self-contained guest accommodation.
Cantina
Stairs lead from the ground floor of the Main House down to a very large cantina/wine cellar, which also accommodates a spacious laundry room and the boiler room. A gated passage leads from the cantina to the portico and the garden.
Garden, Portico and Garage
In one corner of the south-facing walled garden there is a spacious portico/outbuilding that accommodates a summer kitchen. This portico povides a pleasant shaded area for the hot summer months - a perfect spot for al fresco dining. The romantic garden is arranged in terraces, well stocked with mature shrubs and trees - including a mature fig tree. There is space here for a swimming pool.
Built into the former defence wall, underneath the garden, the huge garage has a fully-tiled floor. It would be possible to construct either a staircase or an internal elevator to connect the garage to the garden/portico above.
Services
Mains water, mains electricity, gas, telephone, alarm system.
Viewing
Strictly by appointment with the sole agents, Piedmont Properties
Our personal opinion: an exclusive and elegant property - a rare, and possibly unique, opportunity to acquire a house nearly one thousand years old that has been renovated to a very high standard.
See also a P255 Picture Gallery with 35 images.
For more information contact us quoting reference P255. Please note that all quoted measurements are approximate.
