Brits dreaming of escaping the rat race for a new life on the continent have been offered the chance to buy their own fairytale home… if they can afford it.
Valdengo Castle, just xx drive from Turin, is on the market for £664,959 (€790,000) – the same price as a three-bedroom semi detached in Ealing, west London.
A majestic stately home surrounded by rolling green hills, the palatial property looks straight out of a charming rom com or period drama.
But those who do fancy snapping it up might need an army of staff to keep its 29 bedrooms and six bathrooms clean and tidy.
Anyone hoping for complete peace and quiet may be disappointed, as only a portion of the castle is available to inhabit.
It also needs a bit of fixing up, the listing admits the building’s fixtures and bathrooms need to be ‘modernised’ and don’t have modern plumbing.
On top of that, the ‘roof and some floors need to be completely redone’, which would be an expensive project many Grand Designs fans would baulk at.
At first glance, the listing seems perfect for anyone wanting to live out their dreams
Only a portion of the castle is available to inhabit – and over the years its fallen into disrepair
The property listing by Sotheby’s described the castle as standing on a ‘gentle hill from which you can enjoy a 360 degree view’.
This spans from the Biellese Alps to Monviso, from the Baraggia to the hills and plains of Novara and the village of Valdengo in the foreground.
Prospective buyers may be keen to know that 30 minutes away is the golf course of Magnano Biellese, the Betulle, among the most beautiful in Italy.
Also nearby are the Rosazza tennis clubs and the Beech Trees of Biella.
In terms of skiing, there are the Biellese Alps, the renowned ski areas of the Aosta Valley, Lake Viverone for water skiing and wakeboarding, as well as walks to the Burcina or the Zegna oasis.
The bright detailed fresco ceilings have remained ‘uncharged over the centuries’, and the rooms come with gorgeous historical fireplaces and furnishing.
Some of the rooms even have perfectly preserved parquet floors – but some will require restoration work.
The rooms come with gorgeous historical fireplaces and furnishing
The bright detailed fresco ceilings have remained ‘uncharged over the centuries’
All of the rooms facing the south-west side have French windows onto a long balcony that outlines the entire floor.
The second floor, with a reduced floor plan and access to the turret from a comfortable staircase, houses some bedrooms and bathrooms.
The listing has stirred up debate online, with some suggesting it would make a great AirBnB.
One X user said: ‘Would make a good Premier Inn…’ while another posted: ‘Club together for some great timeshare?’
But a third joked: ‘You’re right the pricing… I was hoping for at least 50 rooms in my Italian castle though. Shame.’
‘A castle? It looks like a village!’ a fourth commented.
It comes as a survey revealed Italy is the most popular choice for cost-effective living for Brits.
The listing has stirred up debate online, with some suggesting it would make a great timeshare
This is despite many Italian cities being known for their steep expenses.
YourOverseasHome – which ran the study – said: ‘Italy is by far the cheapest place to live long term when you’re not spending like a traveller.’
The legend of Italy’s super cheap houses – helped in part by the 2017 €1 home initiative – was dreamt up to reverse the depopulation in the rural areas and tackle the buildings falling into dereliction.
But the reality of nabbing an abandoned home is a lot less enticing, as the cost of the required significant renovations can be steep – especially if you’re attempting to fix up a castle.
However, when compared to the skyrocketing costs of buying a property in the UK, this may be preferable.
