Step back in time to ancient Rome with a historic home 60 miles south of the Italian capital. The estate, with a labyrinth of underground tunnels, occupies 26 acres of sprawling Mediterranean seaside landscape within a national park, including 1,300 feet of shoreline. Villa Volpi, as the home is called, is a historic estate designed following the Palladio tradition with Greek inspirations.
The estate was commissioned in 1958 by Countess Nathalie Volpi di Misurata, whose husband Giuseppe Volpi founded the Venice Film Festival. Designed by the celebrated Milanese architect Tomaso Bruzzi (who combined elements of the neoclassical style and contemporary practicality), Villa Volpi features carvings of famous Roman historical figures throughout the house. The detailed brickwork and craftsmanship make the home appear far older than it actually is.
Completed in 1960, the home consists of two curved wings that meet in the middle to form the central area of the mammoth structure. At its center, there’s a reception hall, dining room, and living room, three second-floor apartments, and the master suite.
The left wing hosts four sea-facing bedrooms, while the right wing is home to a dining room and kitchen. The home’s al fresco dining has played host to many notable guests from celebrities to Italian dignitaries.
In addition to the villa, the estate is also home to several additional buildings. Tucked away from the sea and accessible underground via tunnels, you’ll find a three-bedroom guest house and a double garage with caretaker’s quarters. Two additional buildings—the two-bedroom lakeside cottage and an existing stable—can easily be renovated to host more guests.
A favored holiday destination for Roman society since the 1960s, the Sabaudia estate is set among properties owned by the Italian aristocracy that line the seafront. Villa Volpi was put on the market in 2011 with an asking price of $26.4 million. The asking price for the property is currently available upon request. For more information, click here and watch a video on it below.
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