Schloß in Piacenza, Italien, 4 000 m²

At the point where the lasthillsof the Ligurian Apennines stretch out towards thePo Valley, stands an imposingmedieval castlethat combines the charm of eight centuries of history with the luxury and comforts of contemporary living. With over4,000 sqm of interior spaceand80,000 sqm of outdoor areas,this unique property is now offered for sale as a private home or prestigious venue for high-end hospitality. Masterfully restored, the complex includessumptuous reception rooms,bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms, fully equipped kitchens, acomplete spa and historicalide, there is an enchantingpanoramic swimming pooland a multi-purposesports field. TheItalian-style gardenopens onto a valley of rare beauty, while the surrounding land is home to alush olive grove, an orchard and a private forest. The origins of this imposing estate date back to the13th century,when it was built as a strategic stronghold and incorporated into the defensive system that controlled the passages between the Luretta and Tidone valleys. The first documented mention dates back to1412,when theDuke of Milan, Filippo Maria Visconti,granted it, along with other possessions, toFilippo and Bartolomeo Arcelli,who were appointed counts of Val Tidone. With the decline of the Arcelli family, the property passed back under ducal authority, only to be entrusted to various trusted commanders. Over the centuries, the castle changed hands several times until the second half of the 19th century, when it was sold to the Collegio Morigi in Piacenza and finally to the Marchesi family. The current architecture retains theoriginal quadrangular layout,with buildings arranged around a large internal courtyard and four circular corner towers. Once surrounded by a moat, the castle preserves the remains of the ancient fortified entrance on the north side, which in the past was equipped with a drawbridge, while today's main entrance is on the west side, accessible via a masonry bridge. The façades overlooking the courtyard reveal traces of the many construction phases, includingstone columnssupporting three elegant arches of the main portico. Theexposed stone wallsshow traces of ancient plaster here and there, while inside, despite having lost most of its original finishes, thewoodenfloors and roofs have been preserved, many of which have been restored using historical elements andtraditional tile roofing. These details, together with the solidity of the structure, bear witness to centuries of history, transformations and adaptations, while maintaining the authentic charm of amedieval castlethat has stood the test of time. Ref. 14596