3 bedrooms house, 180 m²

Capena, Rome (province)

Casa Galiei is the former guest quarters of a 15th century monastery in one of the nearest medieval hill villages to Rome. Central Rome can quickly be reached by public transport. 
The old town centre has recently undergone a massive improvement project funded by the Region including refurbishment of the facades of the old monastery building and the old town square below the house.
The area around the house is completely pedestrianised andit is accessed via steps in a charming and ancient medieval setting.
Free parking is available nearby and parking for loading purposes is possible near the house's lower entrance.
The back of the house is set into the side of a gorge and the floor-to-ceiling windows of the outer rooms look out over a peaceful wooded valley with wonderful sunset views.
The house was fully restored ten years ago using traditional materials: hand-fired terracotta tiles and chestnut roof beams. All the wiring is new and it has new gas-fired central heating. Metre-thick walls keep the house cool in summer and warm in winter.
It is accessed from the top through a cave and another spectacular cave is visible to the rear through a glass door.
Although the older parts of the building date are 16th-century, the caves date back to pre-Roman times, when the area was used as an Etruscan necropolis. Chisel marks on the walls and ceilings of the caves are more than two thousand years old.
The first floor comprises a bedroom with ensuite (bath-tub, shower, bidet and basin), kitchen with fitted cupboards, cooker and hob, two very large lounges, utility room with washer and drier and steps leading down to a cantina.
Stairs lead down to the lower floor, where there are two more large bedrooms (5 m square) and another bathroom (shower, bidet, basin).
The house is used for part of the year by the owner and for the rest of the year it is successfully let out as a holiday house. It is possible to buy it complete with all furniture and equipment.
The house currently has Sky TV and broadband internet and these services work well.
Capena itself is an extremely friendly village with plenty of shops, restaurants and bars. A lot of local festivals take place throughout the year.
A few years ago it was made a "citta' del'l'arte" and the old town centre has a delightful arty, bohemian feel.