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Casale le Mura - Ref: V1964TS-X

Casale le Mura

Location: Cortona

Price: € 695,000
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Size: 145 sq metres

Land: 488m2

Bedrooms: 3

Description: ITALY, TUSCANY, AREZZO, CORTONA

On the upper reaches of Cortona, just 200m from the heart of the town, is a two-storey casa colonica, whose extensive back garden falls within the medieval walls surrounding the property once known as the Church and Convent of Santa Croce, inhabited by cloistered nuns from the 14th – 19th centuries.

Located in the corner of this historic property, the house may have once been the home of the caretaker and/or farmer for the convent. Whatever its original function, the house retains the ancient lineaments of a classic Italian casa colonica, presiding over its piece of land, yet facing and engulfed by the surrounding city, a rare blend of town and country.

The upper floor of the house opens onto a partially paved terrace, surrounded by flower gardens, with stone steps leading up to a large lawn area anchored at the end by a high terrace on top of what was once a multi-story medieval surveillance tower.

From this high vantage point, there are spectacular views south and west towards Lake Trasimeno, the fertile plains of the Val di Chiana and reaching as far as the looming peaks of Monte Cetona and Monte Amiata. Breath-taking in its expanse and beauty, this landscape is worthy of a country villa, yet belongs to a town house embedded in the oldest section of the ancient city.

To the north and east of the property rise the Santa Croce perimeter wall and antique remains of the ancient convent. In the near distance, the Romanesque bell tower of Santa Margherita tolls the hours in this place of many spirits.

Approximately 145 square meters (gross area); 103 sqm internal space, including 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms with heated towel racks--one with European length bath-tub and washer-dryer connections, country kitchen (with Bosch appliances, including dishwasher), opening on to paved terraces and extensive gardens; and living room/dining room, with antique stone fireplace.

Much of the furniture (including lighting fixtures, chairs, some tables, beds), would automatically be included in the sale. Other more valuable pieces would be available for purchase. A few pieces are the personal property of the owners.

The outside area - 488 square meters of private, paved terraces and gardens on 3 levels.

In completing the restoration of the house and the gardens, the necessary permits were obtained and extensive repairs were made to the northern walls connecting the house to the Green Entrance Door, and to the western garden walls running from the house to the edge of the property. This latter project included shoring up the western rampart wall of the old tower on which the upper garden was built.

Maintenance of the other walls visible from the property are the responsibility of the adjacent property owner, so there are no “hidden” costs in this regard for the buyer of this property.

Possible Additional Structure - Below the high terrace at the end of the garden are the remnants of what was probably a multi-level, surveillance tower, with base exterior dimensions of approximately 7 metres by 13 metres. Before building the garden and terrace, half of this ruin was excavated and photographed in order to leave open the possibility of seeking permission from the Comune of Cortona to recover this still visible structure. Given the extensive dimensions of the ruin, recuperation of this structure would create substantial additional value for the property as a whole, making possible additional bedrooms, storage and/or studio space. The lower part of the ruin was approximately 3 metres below the present level, with room above for an additional floor (s).

From the excavations, it was possible to see that the 7 x 13 meter structure had been divided by a wall in the middle connected by an opening, creating two approximately equal sized rooms. Photos of the excavation and approximate dimensions are available upon request. As of spring 2011, the local council indicated that a permit process called a Piano di Ricupero would be required to establish building authorisation for the ruined structure.

 

 

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For more information or to arrange to view this property please submit the form below, or call 01223 360523 (from uk) or 00 44 1223 360523 from outside the uk.

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