Beautiful monasteries are for sale all over Italy

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CNN - Have you ever dreamed of completely escaping all of this?

Italians have long known how to do this. For centuries, it has been a land of hermits and religious retreats - and Italy is still full of secluded monasteries and abbeys where religious people lived. However, you don't necessarily have to be religious to live this kind of lifestyle. For about 2 million euros (2.16 million dollars), you can buy a converted retreat where meditation, peace, and silence reign.

Italy, as the center of the Catholic Church, is dotted with countless monasteries, abbeys, churches, and residences for priests. Many of them date back to the Middle Ages and are often put up for sale. Some can cost less than apartments in prestigious areas ofMilan or Florence. "Historic properties with a religious past and structure have enormous potential and appeal for foreigners looking to experience the spiritual side of Italy," says Riccardo Romolini from the Romolini Immobiliare agency, affiliated with Christie's real estate. "Many monasteries and abbeys are for sale because, over time, wealthy families without heirs donated these properties to local churches, which then sold them back to private individuals. Sometimes religious orders put them up for sale due to the need for renovations," he adds. Recently, he sold one of these monasteries to an American family as a "private retreat."

This villa, priced at $2.55 million, near Florence features a deconsecrated church. Would you like to join them? Romolini Agency is currently selling a luxurious villa located in the Tuscan village of Caldine, not far from Florence, surrounded by olive groves and green hills. Built as a residence for the local parish priest, it was later inhabited by Dominican monks and renovated during the Renaissance. The estate includes a deconsecrated church with frescoes, sculptures, and a bell tower. It used to be a village chapel where the current owners host parties and concerts. Owner Maria Silvia Papaïs is selling it for €2.35 million ($2.55 million). "It took me 10 days to buy it from 10 different priests, each of whom had their own shares. I was immediately struck by the beauty of this property, although when I bought it in the 1980s, it was in ruins and dilapidated. The gardens, ancient trees, and views are breathtaking. I needed a country house, and I have lived here for 35 years," she says. Papaïs has renovated the entire property, which is located in an area once inhabited by ancient tribes, including the Etruscans, and was the site of many battles. The Romans fought here against barbarians in the 5th century, and eight centuries later, Tuscan papal troops clashed with their enemies here. The main building, which housed the priest, spans 5,000 square feet and features original stone portals, fireplace complexes, and Renaissance decorations, terracotta floors, and wooden beams. In the adjacent church, the walls are adorned with frescoes, and the arches are sculpted by artisans from carefully carved gray local stone called pietra serena, sourced from nearby quarries. The villa is surrounded by a 12-acre park with cypress, pine, oak, and laurel trees. More than 700 olive trees produce delicious organic oil.

For 1.5 million US dollars, this former monastery in the Chociaria area between Naples andRome could be yours.

For 2.9 million US dollars, you can acquire a Franciscan monastery and abbey in Umbria. If you have a slightly larger budget, for 2.7 million euros (2.9 million US dollars), you can purchase a 14th-century Franciscan monastery and abbey in the Upper Tiber Valley of Umbria. Umbria, of course, is the land of Saint Francis, and the monastery currently operates as a boutique resort offering tranquil accommodations, located between the towns of Gubbio and Città di Castello. Built on the site of a Roman settlement and a Lombard tower, it features an old deck and two natural springs. During World War II, it became a stronghold for the anti-fascist movement, where local partisans hid and planned their resistance. According to its current owners, who wish to remain anonymous, it also served as a refuge for the American consul in Nice, France. He was captured by the fascists and brought to Italy but managed to escape and join the Italian fighters here. "Properties like this, with a special historical charm and a certain structural grandeur, are increasingly attracting the attention of clients seeking prestigious estates," says Jennifer Giraldi, senior partner and sales director at Lionard, a real estateagency. "Large open spaces and dominant positions that ensure privacy are becoming more sought-after features, especially after the pandemic." Ideal as a luxurious country house, it includes two buildings with a total area of 16,000 square feet, featuring 10 standard bedrooms and six suites, a restaurant with a panoramic terrace, a winter garden, a bar, and a church converted into a relaxation area. The interiors showcase antique furniture, wooden decorations, handmade ceramics, wrought iron lamps, and exquisite fabrics. Surrounding the park with stone steps and arches, there is even a heated pool and solarium.