A fortress monastery with a panoramic view of Portofino in Italy

Day announcement

Location:

Paraggi, Liguria, Italy

Price:

16 million euros (17.16 million US dollars)

Known as Parajina, this historic villa on the coast includes:

• main house
• single-story extension for staff
• a private park with a view of picturesque Portofino
• and some curious literary story

“It is said that Oscar Wilde spent a long time in this villa at the end of the 19th century as a guest of an 'English friend,'” said Chiara Lagomarsino Picasso, the CEO of Portofino Property/Knight Frank, referring to the priest with whom he maintained a relationship. “Unfortunately, there are no records of this in his books. However, the grave of Wilde's parrot is still visible in the park.”

The estate is designed in a typical Ligurian style with bright salmon-colored facades and contrasting white and gray stripes. The same theme runs through the crenellated walls of the large terraced garden.

In the past, the owners were a well-known ship-owning family from Genoa, as well as a prestigious English family that expanded the villa in the late 19th century by adding an extra floor while preserving the original structure. The main structure of the main house, as well as a small annex, dates back to the time of the Abbey of San Girolamo la Cervara in the 14th century. "The thick stone walls of the abbey are still preserved in the main house, visible from the niches surrounding the windows on the first floor," said Lagomarsino Picasso. "The annex was used as a storage for agricultural tools, including those used for caring for olive trees. Part of the century-old olive grove of Cervara is now part of the estate."

The main house, spread over two floors, contains three of the six bedrooms of the villa. On the first floor, there is a fully equipped kitchen and a living room with an elegant fireplace.

Characteristics:

The house has an area of 350 square meters, with six bedrooms and five bathrooms.

Amenities:

Each building has its own terrace, which the current owners have filled with tables, loungers, and relaxation areas overlooking the sea. Between the buildings, there is another patio with a large fountain and a barbecue area. The villa is surrounded by an extensive private park that was once home to donkeys, cows, and birds, as well as an olive grove that produced some of the best oil on the eastern coast of Liguria. Today, the park mainly consists of a forested area but could be partially restored as an olive grove and vineyard.

Neighborhood:

The prestigious villa is located at the top of the Paraggi promontory, offering views of Paraggi Bay and the entrance to the Portofino harbor. "Originally, Paraggi was a small fishing and milling village. Today, it still retains its original atmosphere, and with its crystal-clear water and fine pearl sand, it is the most exclusive bay of the Italian Riviera," said Lagomarsino Picasso. The villa is less than two kilometers from the famous Piazzetta of Portofino and four kilometers from Santa Margherita Ligure, a charming resort town. "Due to its beauty and exclusivity, many foreign buyers, as well as well-known Italian celebrities and politicians, are purchasing property in this area," said Lagomarsino Picasso.

Agent:

Mark Harvey, sales agent, Knight Frank

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