Lovingly and painstakingly restored, this beautiful and unique village property is the perfect holiday home with its glorious views from the sunny terraces, the three good sized bedrooms, two bathrooms, light and airy living spaces, cosy kitchen and ample cellars.
Walking through the narrow streets of the village, the house is tucked away in the historical centre and, being on the side of a hill, there are uninterrupted views across the valley and a wonderful sense of space. The house from the outside seems relatively small, but inside becomes it is deceptively large.
The arched solid walnut double front door opens in to a small entrance hall where there’s space for coats and shoes, and then to one side there is a tapering under stairs space that houses the boiler and additional storage. Open the double glass partition door and here is the long vaulted kitchen, divided in two by the most spectacular stone arch. There are various hidden niches within the walls and hooks in the ceiling that would once have been used for drying salami and prosciutto. There’s also a wood burning stove to keep it cosy and warm. At the very back of the kitchen, through a small doorway, is a cave that’s been carved out of the rock. It’s perfect for wine storage but certainly large enough to create a utility and storage room.
Original stone steps lead from the kitchen up to the living room on the first floor, the main wall having been carefully cleaned and repointed. The focus in this room is the huge medieval fireplace that now houses a delightful wood burner that’s perfect for the chilly evenings. The two restored windows let in lots of light and the original floor tiles and hand crafted railings, together with the exposed wall, create a wonderful contrast with the plain white walls. An open doorway leads to the second bedroom that’s currently used as an office. Full of original features the room has a vaulted brick ceiling, solid oak windowsill, stone door surrounds, traditional Abbruzzese shelving and a wooden floor. Beyond the bedroom is a large vaulted storage room that has deep shelves and space for skis, boards, winter jackets, walking boots and everything else that needs tucking away. The second bathroom also leads off this room and is very simple yet full of character; the brick ceiling is vaulted, there is an original hand carved half moon step and the oversize arched window is surrounded by a deep stone arch. The third bedroom is at the back of the house and is reached via the living room. This cosy vaulted room has the original terracotta floor tiles and a stone window that leads out to the stair case for the upper level of the house.
Again from the living room, the top level is reached via a spectacular staircase. The huge arched stone frame of a long ago blocked up window dominates the bottom of the stairs, and then the original stone steps and the vaulted ceiling lead up to an exposed stone wall and into the main bedroom. This is a really special space. A high exposed ceiling with a massive chestnut beam means the room is light and airy, and the long expanse of carefully repointed exposed stones make for a very unique bedroom. There is a beautiful dark oak floor that leads to a set of French doors, and also to the bathroom. With its freestanding bath, large shower with a view, stand alone sink, oak beam, exposed ceiling, bare stone walls and French doors to outside, the bathroom is one of the house’s best features and it would be difficult to find something similar.
The French doors from both the bedroom and the bathroom lead out to two terraces that have the most spectacular view across the famous Navelli plateau to the surrounding wooded hillsides and on to the high mountains beyond. Part of the terrace is covered for when you want some shade and there is lots of space for a barbecue, table and chairs, loungers, and even planters for vegetables, herbs and flowers.
It’s a fantastic area and it’s easy to spend the majority of the day up there. The village is small but has a bar, two restaurants, a post office and regular mobile shops, and a larger town is just a short drive away. The area has numerous excellent restaurants.
The local wine is cheap and delicious and there is so much to explore and see. There are four national parks with incredible flora and fauna, bubbling rivers, lakes to swim in, mountains for climbing and skiing, endless mountain bike trails, village festivals, ancient churches, castles and architecture, and if that wasn’t enough there are beaches 45 minutes away and the centre of Rome can be reached in 90 minutes. Access to the area is very easy via road with Italy’s vast network of motorways. Pescara airport is just 45 minutes away and Rome’s airports are 90 minutes away. This particular area is lucky as the main road is traffic free and means you can get in and out without having to negotiate the tricky and busy winding roads of other areas.
A wonderful, unique house that is full of character and charm, set in a very pretty village that is easy to get to, in an area that offers so much to do. It’s the perfect holiday home.
Reduced from €225.000 to €195.000.
CAPORCIANO - L’AQUILA PROVINCE
Caporciano is a fortified village positioned on a hill at 836 metres above sea level. It is on the Navelli plateau celebrated for its saffron. From the highest part of the village it is possible to admire the crocus flowers, with the stunning Apennine peaks in the background.
The village is dominated by its 11th century tower which is now the belfry of San Benedetto Abate and forms part of the original fortified wall. There is also an excellent view of the castle in Bominaco, which is a couple of minutes away by car, and is an ancient Benedictine settlement.
With a population of 221 there is a post office and bar/restaurant. Other services are a short drive away.
DRIVING DISTANCES/TRAVEL TIMES (subject to traffic)
Abruzzo International Airport - 77 km/55 min
Ancona/Le Marche Airport - 221 km/2 hr 10 min
Rome Fiumicino Airport - 179 km/1 hr 50 min
Rome Ciampino Airport - 152 km/1 hr 30 min
Adriatic Coast at Pescara - 79 km/55 min
Skiing (Alpine) Campo Felice - 49 km/57 min
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