Description
Charming castle, in a panoramic position and with lake view, only 6 km from Lake Trasimeno and 15 km from Perugia. Total area of 3,500 square meters, perfect for a hotel and accommodations facility and for hosting events.
Geographic position
Castello del Cavaliere is on a dominant hillside position overlooking Lake Trasimeno, just 15 km from Perugia (a 15 minute drive) and 3 km from the nearest town where you can do your daily shopping.
We are located in Umbria, just 25 km from the border with Tuscany, conveniently located and central to many important historical districts in the two regions. With a 45-minute drive, we can reach Assisi (37 km), Spello (42 km), Cortona (44 km) and Montepulciano (51 km), whereas Chianciano Terme (58 km), Arezzo (81 km) and Spoleto (75 km) are about an hour away.
Lake Trasimeno is 6 km away, and Passignano sul Trasimeno (15 km away) and Castiglione del Lago (24 km away) are about a 15 minute and half-hour drive, respectively.
The location is also just perfect for golf lovers. There are three lovely courses in the vicinity: the Antognolla Golf Club (18 holes par 71) - one of the most challenging and spectacular golf courses in Italy - just 20 km away, the Perugia Golf Club (18 holes par 72), 10 km away, and the Lamborghini Golf Club (9 holes par 36), also 20 km away.
The airport of Perugia is the nearest (25 km away, half an hour by car); and in two hours you can also reach the Florence airport (150 km), Rome Ciampino (197 km) and Rome Fiumicino (214 km).
Description of buildings
The Castello del Cavaliere is a striking fortification with an important historical value. Its history goes back to ancient times, as it dates back to the year 608.
The property consists of the Castle, an adjacent Villa, and over 4.5 hectares of land, with an olive grove of 350 trees that produces olives and olive oil.
Due to its commanding position at 337 meters above sea level, it was an important outpost of defence from enemies and it suffered numerous attacks over the centuries, some of which led to its partial or total destruction.
The castle was also in the "Byzantine Corridor," a portion of territory administered by the Byzantines and the only link between Rome and Ravenna during the period when the Goths and Lombards settled on the peninsula.
In the 1400s, the fortification was an outpost that defended the Umbrian territory. Later on the small village that currently exists, and is inhabited, was created around it.
THE CASTLE
The castle has undergone structural consolidation work, re-roofing, the laying of most of the flooring, the renovation of the installations and the restoration of all the existing frescoes.
It consists of two adjoining blocks connected by internal staircases and external entrances.
The ground floor houses the reception area, large reception rooms, two restaurant rooms, the kitchens, a cafeteria and toilets.
From this floor it is possible to access the beautiful panoramic terraces.
On the first floor are further communal living areas, an additional kitchen and four studios with bathrooms.
On the second floor (currently in an unfinished state and without the final external joinery but with glass-effect Plexiglas panels) there is a large flat with a large entrance hall, kitchen, dining room, living room, study, two bedrooms with bathroom and two further bathrooms.
Underneath the main terrace is a one-room apartment for the caretaker.
THE VILLA
The Villa has four floors in addition to the two floors of the turret.
The current renovation was limited to the conservation and restoration of the walls and the laying of only the beams that will support the floors.
The original floors were recovered and preserved, and they can be reassembled.
The renovation project involves the construction of 6 apartments, each with its own living area, two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and common and service areas in the basement.
The measurements provided indicate the liveable surface area.
The liveable surface area is the same as the walkable surface area (which includes internal walls) plus 10% to take into account supporting walls.
The surface area occupied by stairs may only be calculated once.
State and finishing
The current architectural layout of the Castello del Cavaliere is the result of the transformation of the building over the centuries, at the hands of the various families who owned it, until the very last works, which were responsible for the frescoed ceilings.
In the basement part of the castle, the grotto was also restored. It is a long tunnel entirely dug into the rock, taking us back to the past of the fortification, as we imagine it was used as a secret passage to be able to escape outside the walls in case of siege (currently the tunnel is closed).
The sale price refers to the restored castle, with the second floor in an unfinished state and the villa to be restored.
External areas
The land is over 4.5 hectares, with 350 olive trees that produce olives.
Within the surrounding walls there are wonderful panoramic terraces, one of which has a lake view.
If you’re interested, you can request a permit to build a swimming pool.
Use and potential uses
The renovation of the Castle and Villa includes numerous large spaces for hosting guests and events, and the rooms and apartments make the property perfect as a high-end accommodations facility.
Interestingly, there is a small consecrated church, just a few metres from the building, ideal for romantic weddings.