Villa with private church near Macerata, Marche

On a hilltop in San Severino, at the crossroads that linked the Adriatic sea with the Flaminia way in Roman times, a canopy of mature trees shelters a huge, ancient villa.
Sturdy stone walls and a tower set the architectural tone of the place, which selling agent Jane Smith of Magic Marche calls “a piece of historical Italy.”
But the interiors, which have been carefully restored, more than rival with the façade. The door opens onto hand-made brick floors, revealing frescoed ceilings, vaulted cellars, a fireplace, and rooms that are no longer common in modern homes, such as a billiard room or a smoking room.
Contemporary touches have also been sensitively blended among the old furniture and traditional fittings—there’s even a home cinema in the cellar.
Outside, there is a an annexe for guests, a home for a caretaker, and a small private church. The verdant grounds are broken up by the turquoise waters of a swimming pool, which is shaded by old trees. “This property is both special and magical,” says Smith.
Alas, the price is predictably on par with all this magnificence—the villa can be yours for €4.15m (www.magicmarche.com, +44 (0)208 941 8300).