Casale Fontechiari is a beautifully restored, 4 bedroom / 3 bathroom, three storey stone property of 360 sq.mt dating from the 1800s. Set in lovely countryside, it is surrounded by 2,000 sq.mt. of its own grounds. While being very private and secluded, the home is only a few minutes drive from the old town of Fontechiari, which can seen from the property, silhouetted at the top of the hill.

Approached along a private road, imposing wrought iron gates access the property. The paved driveway bordered by trimmed hedges sweeps from the gates to finish at the front of the house, where there is ample parking.

The attractively symmetrical appearance of the property is enhanced by an unexpected feature: a charming little wrought iron balcony from an old palazzo has been added to the facade above the front door.

The entry hall has been very attractively tiled and leads to the main indoor living areas, also beautifully tiled. A study is located to one side of the entrance hallway; at the end of the hallway, there is a splendid light living room with an open fireplace and a feature wall niche where the old bread oven used to be situated. Arches open through into a large dining room.

There is a completely new fitted kitchen, also with an open fireplace and with ample space for a casual family dining table.

A small bathroom/powder room completes the accommodation on this level.

On the upper level, a very large master bedroom commands views from windows on two walls over the countryside and across to Fontechiari. The master bedroom suite continues with a small dressing room and a beautifully appointed bathroom with both shower and bath.

Three other spacious bedrooms share another well-fitted bathroom. All the floors on this level (other than the tiled bathrooms) have been finished in lovely polished wood.

Further stairs lead upwards to attics, currently unused.

Matching external stone stairs on either side of the house lead down to a lower terrace, ideal for summer al fresco dining and entertaining. Here are the entrances to the very large and beautifully restored stone-walled vaulted cantinas (formerly the ancient cellars of the property), It is envisioned these could house a summer kitchen, together with a shady sitting area for hot summer days and a further bathroom. Then there is ample space for a games room, a laundry, storage areas, etc.

The land has already been excavated in preparation for a swimming pool just below the terrace, should the purchaser desire to install one. And enjoyment of the terrace and summer dining area will be further enhanced by the sound of rippling water from the little river in the valley below.

The garden area awaits only landscaping by the purchaser. There is an antique stone water feature near the front door. And beyond the property's own grounds lie acres of olive groves.

All utilities are available for connection.
Energy classification: G

THE CIOCIARIA

Casale Fontechiari is in the area of Italy called the Ciociaria, the name given to the fertile land that lies south of Rome but north of Naples, situated inland in the hills in the heart of Italy.

The Ciociaria region is within easy reach of both Rome and Naples and their respective airports. A day's shopping in Rome is a common pastime, while an even shorter drive brings you to the charming beaches south of Rome. Alternatively, drive east, and the mountains of the Abruzzo National Park await with horse trekking in the magnificent beech forests, and sparkling mountain lakes and rivers where you can swim in the heat of the summer. And at the other extreme of temperature, although the towns of the Ciocaria are temperate, less than an hour's drive brings you to the winter ski slopes.

Often overlooked, both by tourists and by those foreigners in search of an Italian home, in favour of the more publicized regions of Tuscany and Umbria, the Ciociaria remains largely an unspoilt gem with beautiful scenery and medieval hilltop towns. A home or second home in the Ciociaria, in the hilltop towns of Arpino, Veroli, Alatri or in the rolling countryside that surrounds them, will afford you a setting where over two thousand years of history combine with an idyllic rural Italian lifestyle, where you can still discover the 'real' Italy and take time out from the busy crowds of the larger tourist cities, while being less than ninety minutes journey from central Rome or either of Rome's two airports.