The Gatekeeper of Rome

The Gatekeeper of Rome: Lazio

Live out your Italian Castello dreams at this oh-so-regal apartment housed in a medieval hamlet standing high on a hill within striking distance of Rome (a twenty-minute journey, to be exact).

Behind the charming ochre facades and fairy-tale towers, discover a lofty apartment oozing period character. Once belonging to a Duke, you can almost feel the history and drama played out within its majestic walls. The portico arches remain to elegantly space out the open-plan apartment, while everything else has been reimagined to deliver all the creature comforts, including a smart kitchen space to rustle up a light bite to eat.

Pad out across the cool, terracotta tiles onto the suntrap shared courtyard for alfresco breakfasts. Then beat the heat with a dip in the sublime shared pool cradled by pine and olive trees.

Thanks to its elevated position, perched between the Marcigliana Nature Reserve, River Tiber, and the Reatini Mountains beyond, it's blissfully quiet, and the views are spell-bounding. And if you're impressed with the panoramas now, imagine this place at golden hour with an Aperol spritz in your hand.

When it's time to come back down to earth from this mighty perch, the village of Settebagni is just a five-minute stroll for a slice of authentic Italian life – think pizzerias and a sprinkling of trattorias. And of course, there's Rome. Hop on the train at Settebagni Station (a ten-minute walk), and you can be in downtown Rome in twenty minutes – just enough time to cram in a planning session for an afternoon of sight-hopping in Rome. Just think of the places you'll go.

Home truths:
*There’s ample car parking on the estate
*Child-friendly amenities include a cot, just request with your host in advance
*There’s a laptop-friendly space for remote working, if you must
*There’s two supermarkets to pick up essentials just a ten-minute walk away in the neighbouring village of Settebagni