Detached house with garden next to impressive castle fortress.

Spacious three bed detached house, set in a lovely hilltop village next to the castle. Some modernisation required.

The detached house is all on one level, with entrance hall, three bedrooms and a bathroom, spacious kitchen/diner and airy living room. 'Cantina' store rooms. Private gated parking and garage. There are high ceilings and large windows so the whole house feels light and airy. There is a large balcony at the front door, a perfect place to watch the sunset.

The garden (600 sqm) is well-planted and has a couple of sheds/outbuildings. The views of the surrounding countryside are stunning, and it is particularly impressive to be so close to the lovely castle fortress. There is a good country restaurant and bar within an easy walk. Easy access by car.

L'Architrave has a sister company ready to help with renovations. We can offer an independent, english-speaking Geometra to design and project manage works, as well as an excellent team of builders who have carried out a number of stunning restorations in the region.

Malgrate Castle is situated in Villafranca in Lunigiana and its striking round tower has presided over the valley of the River Bagnone for centuries. The fort, which controlled the most important communication routes from the Apennines, Cisa and Garfagnana, was built in the 14th century (but it probably has older origins) and the Malaspina marquises’ banner waved on its tower, 25 metres tall and topped with a lookout point, until the 17th century. As well as serving a defensive function, the castle became a noble residence in 1641, when the central part was turned into a palace including the round tower. However, the appearance of Malgrate Castle is that of a classic medieval fortress: the main part consists of the keep, located on the short side of the feudal palace in a rectangular shape and surrounded by walls, with Guelph battlements, embankments and a walkway which probably dates back to the 14th century.

The property is set close to the town of Bagnone a charming medieval town also dominated by a castle and a cobbled piazza ideal for watching the local town life go by while sipping a cappuccino in one of the many cafès. Cobbled lanes with interlinking archways and restaurants hidden under the stone vaults, shops offering local produce and the backdrop of the mountains make this a particularly pretty town in the area.

Lunigiana is a magical part of Tuscany. The hills that encircle Lunigiana create an intimate and relaxed atmosphere whilst the blend of the mountains and sea are extremely inviting to those who enjoy the outdoors. The rolling landscape is liberally sprinkled with castles of Medici or Malaspina vintage but for lovers of the coast the sea is only half-an-hours away. The golden sandy beaches around Lerici and the pebble coves of the Cinque Terre are ideal for swimming and sailing. The area is criss-crossed with marked footpaths for walks to the hills and mountains. The airports of Pisa, Parma and Genova are all within an hours’ drive.

Distances: Bagnone 3 km, Pontremoli 12 km, Aulla (trains, autostrada) 15 km, Lerici (beaches) 35 km, Lucca 90 km, Pisa (airport) 95 km, Florence 150 km.