Architecture Wednesday: Roman Villa

Located along the historic and legendary Via Appia Antica, about 3 miles from the Colosseum and a 15-minute drive from the heart of Rome, is a fabulous villa, once home to famed film producer Carlo Ponti and Sophia Loren.

Designed by renowned Roman architect Busiri Vici, the main villa covers 8600 square feet over two levels, with an elevator connecting the two floors and a panoramic rooftop terrace. There are five bedrooms each with a private bathroom, powder room, library, a winter garden and a room with a bathroom reserved for service personnel … cuz you know I’d be needing service personnel, AKA Maddie-speak for Houseboys.

The heart of the residence is a majestic 3500-square-foot hall, divided into three interconnecting rooms with large windows, three fireplaces and views of the garden. The entire area is decorated with statues and original marble artifacts—some of which are over 2,400 years old—giving the house a museum-like atmosphere of great charm and cultural depth.

The main house stands on a layer of solidified lava from the nearby volcano of Castel Gandolfo, in an area that was excavated by the ancient Romans to extract basalt used in the construction of the Appian Way. The excavation created a kind of natural amphitheater that elevates the villa nearly fifty feet above the surrounding landscape, offering a dominant position over the gardens.

In is within that garden where you’ll find a second structure: a 7500-square-foot Provencal-style building that was once a stable and has been transformed into an elegant and bright residence. The heart of the space is a large 3400-square-foot open loft with high ceilings, large windows, a professional kitchen and period furnishings selected from unique Italian and Northern European pieces, ideal for private receptions, events or family time.

The garden, which covers an impressive 150,000 square feet is a true masterpiece of landscaping, personally designed and maintained by the current owner, a landscape architect. Outdoor spaces include a swimming pool, mature trees, stone pathways, private relaxation areas, a garage, technical rooms, a gardeners’ annex, and the ultimate in privacy, while remaining strategically connected to the city’s major neighborhoods, international schools, cultural sites, and the capital’s best restaurants.

This is not simply a residence, but an iconic and unrepeatable property that encapsulates the soul of ancient Rome, the elegance of Italian design and the immortal spirit of international cinema. Rich in history and incomparable in its charm, it is a home for those seeking beauty, uniqueness and a legacy to pass on. Available by private appointment only and reserved for selected clients.

I don’t know the price because, well, if you have to ask …

The Spaces

Architecture Wednesday: Villa Castelluccio

This Puglian Villa was completely renovated in 2021, stripped back to its essentials and recrafting the low-slung pared-back spaces in natural materials. After a period as a holiday retreat, Villa Castelluccio is back on the market offering up peace and solitude amid five acres of olive groves outside Ceglie Messapica in Puglia.

The three-bedroom bungalow still exhibits the pared-back warmth with soft tones, thick walls, local handiwork and thoughtful proportions where steady streams of light enter the home through a series of openings. At the center is a living room that leads directly into an open kitchen, where concrete countertops and sinks made by local artisans are paired with brass fittings and simple joinery. The kitchen and connected dining room form the house’s gathering point. There are two very large  bedrooms in the main building , each with an en suite bathroom, while the third bedroom studio sits a few meters away with its own shower room and secluded terrace.

More terraces extend from the house under timber pergolas, creating outdoor rooms for cooking, dining and lingering during the hotter months. A partially enclosed pool area sits deeper in the olive grove, edged by drought-tolerant gardens.

The villa is within easy reach of Ostuni, Martina Franca and both coasts, and can be yours for a hair more than $1.7M USD.

The Spaces