Monday, September 5, 2016

80-Room Medieval Italian Castle To Be Sold for First Time in its History

I'm a bit late in getting to this but if you are in the market for a castle there is still some time to make it happen.
Easy access to both Austria and Switzerland as well as all of Northern Italy.

From Medievalists.net:
Castel Valer, a lavishly decorated medieval castle in northern Italy, which has been owned by the same family who obtained the estate in the fourteenth century, is set to be sold at auction on 8th September 2016.

The magnificent castle includes 35,520 square feet (3,300 square metres) of net living space, comprising 15 bedrooms, 14 bathrooms, five kitchens, including a medieval smoke kitchen, a banqueting hall, library, two chapels, an octagonal tower, wine cellar and swimming pool. The grounds extend to 18.5 acres (7.5 hectares) and incorporate terraced gardens, orchards and forest and further benefits from three private access roads. Constructed between 1200 and 1700, the property combines architecture from the Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque eras. The period features include unique 15th and 16th century frescos and incorporate antique crown roof tiles. Sold fully furnished, the castle is fitted with bespoke antique furniture pieces, impressive glass chandeliers and Venetian mirrors.

Situated in the foothills of the Dolomites, Northern Italy, the location of the castle within the Val di Non allows for immediate access to beautiful lakes, quaint villages and world famous skiing in the Austrian resort of Kitzbühel. Verona is just a one hour drive from the property, with Venice and Milan also within easy reach, providing easy access to international airports as well as representing some of Italy’s most popular historic cities.
http://www.medievalists.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/castle-for-auction.jpg
 Castel Valer, Tassullo, Italy Photo: (C) 2016 Alessandro Carpentiero
The buyer of Castel Valer will be purchasing an historic artefact, as well as a magnificent home. Built upon Roman ruins on the site of a historic Roman road, the castle retains a cloister of pillars dating back to the 16th century Council of Trent, in addition to an octagonal tower used as a WWI artillery base for German and Italian military. Of the two chapels, the Late Gothic-style Saint Valerio, embellished by frescos by 15th Century Italian old master painters Giovanni and Battista Baschenis from the Bergamo region, has been awarded the title of Europe’s Best Renovated Chapel by Christie’s and Europa Nostra.

History and modern amenities combine, as the castle has been meticulously restored over the last 20 years to incorporate all facilities expected of a 21st century home. There is a new electric generator, two heating systems, newly installed alarm system, newly installed roof tiles and a water and waste pipeline connected to the nearest village. Rooms restored as conference facilities and refurbished staff accommodation provide the necessary space should the buyer wish to run the property as an events space.

Count Spaur zu Flavon und Valer, the vendor of the castle, explains, “The home holds a lot of history for both my family and my country. I especially love the details in the Gothic Chapel and have a fondness for the Ulrich hall which was named after my ancestor. I hope the new owners of the home will enjoy the property as much as I have, and further add to its fruitful timeline.”...MORE
Also at Medievalists.net: Making the Castle a Home: Creating an Immersive Medieval World Using Live Costumed Interpreters.
Sure, why not, it's your castle.

The Concierge Auctions website says the date of the auction is Sep 22, 2016 | 12 PM EDT but I would double check. It's so embarrassing to arrive late to these things.
Castel Valer - Concierge Auctions

Here's part of the auctioneers photo tour via the Daily Mail:
The massive medieval castle in the foothills of Italy's Dolomites mountain range is up for sale for the first time ever

Castel Valer, which has 15 bedrooms, has been owned by the same family since the 14th century
There is architecture from the Romanesque, Gothic and Baroque eras throughout the medieval Castel Valer

And the Castle's website.