Monstrous Monasteries for Sale in Italy

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CNN - Have you ever dreamed of being alone with yourself and escaping from everything?

Italians have long known how to do this. For centuries, this country has been a home to hermits and religious retreats - and Italy is still full of secluded monasteries and abbeys where religious people live. You don't have to be religious to live this way. For about 2 million euros (2.16 million dollars), you can buy a restored retreat where meditation, peace, and silence reign.

Italy, as the residence of the Catholic Church, is dotted with numerous monasteries, abbeys, churches, and priests' residences. Many of them date back to the Middle Ages and are often put up for sale. Some can cost less than an apartment in prestigious areas ofMilan or Florence. "Historical properties with religious history 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. "Many monasteries and abbeys are for sale because, over time, wealthy families without heirs have passed these properties to local churches, which then sold them to private individuals. Sometimes religious orders sell them for maintenance reasons," he adds. Recently, he sold one of these monasteries to an American family as a "private retreat." Would you like to join them?

The Romolini agency is currently selling a luxurious villa in the Tuscan town of Caldine, near Florence, surrounded by olive groves and green hills. Built as a property for the local parish priest, it was later inhabited by Dominican monks and restored during the Renaissance. The estate includes a deconsecrated church with frescoes, sculptures, and a bell tower. It used to be a village church where the current owners host parties and concerts. Owner Maria Silvia Papaïs is selling it for 2.35 million euros ($2.55 million). "It took me 10 days to buy this from 10 different priests, each of whom had a share. I was immediately struck by the beauty of this property, although when I bought it in the 1980s, it was in ruins and neglected. 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 fully restored the entire property, which is located in an area once inhabited by ancient tribes, including the Etruscans, and has been the scene of many battles. Romans fought here against barbarians in the 5th century AD, and eight centuries later, Tuscan papal forces clashed with enemies here. The main building, covering 5,000 square feet with five bedrooms, where the priest lived, features original stone portals, fireplaces, and Renaissance-era decorations, brick floors, and wooden beams. The adjoining church has frescoed walls and arches carved by sculptor masters in carefully engraved pietra serena, a gray local stone quarried from nearby sites. 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.

If this exceeds your budget, for 1.38 million euros (1.5 million dollars) you can buy 10,000 square feet of a Franciscan monastery in the wild area of Ciociaria between Naples andRome.

If you have a slightly larger budget, for 2.7 million euros (2.9 million dollars) you can acquire 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 is currently 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 pointed tower, it features an ancient well and two natural springs. During World War II, it became a stronghold for anti-fascists, where local partisans took refuge and planned their resistance. According to its current owners, who wish to remain anonymous, it was also a sanctuary 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 with such special historical charm and a certain architectural 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, dominant positions ensuring privacy, are becoming more sought-after features—especially after the pandemic." Perfect 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 adapted for relaxation. Antique furniture, wooden decorations, handmade ceramics, wrought iron lamps, and exquisite fabrics adorn the interiors. Surrounded by a park with stone steps and arches, there is even a heated infinity pool with a solarium.