Italian country estate valued with own basilica goes up for auction

A unique, centuries-old country estate – a former Benedictine convent – with its own basilica is being auctioned off in Italy.

Villa Badia was previously on the market for €10 million (£8.75m), but will now be auctioned off between June 26 and 29 to the highest bidder – regardless of how low the final bid is.

The main property at Villa Badia, Piedmont, has 15 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, along with large entertaining and meeting rooms with period features.

On-site is a Romanesque basilica, which has national heritage status, and includes a crypt dating back to the 8th century, along with Renaissance frescoes and colourful mosaic floor.

The historic estate, a former Benedictine convent, is enclosed within a walled park, and surrounded by the Monferrato countryside in Piedmont, Italy. It is to be auctioned off with no reserve

The main property at Villa Badia has 15 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, plus entertaining and meeting rooms with period features

The main property at Villa Badia has 15 bedrooms and 14 bathrooms, plus entertaining and meeting rooms with period features

It sits adjacent to the stunning villa that, according to Charlie Smith, European advisor for Concierge Actions which is auctioning the property with no reserve, has 32,000 sq ft of floorspace. 

Given that, by comparison, the floorspace of typical family homes around the world range from about 500 sq ft in Hong Kong, to over 2,000 sq ft in the United States and Australia, there is definitely no shortage of space.

And that is before the potential buyer factors in large cellars and ancillary buildings at the property.

Smith said: ‘ We are privileged to be representing such an important Italian country estate in Piedmont, a region known the world over for its truffle harvest.’

He added that while, ‘it is not unheard of for historic properties to include a small chapel within the grounds, a home with its own basilica is a truly unique offering.

‘Villa Badia has immense potential as a tourism venture.’

The stunning country estate has 'immense potential as a tourism venture' according to Concierge Auctions

The stunning country estate has ‘immense potential as a tourism venture’ according to Concierge Auctions

It has its own stone Romanesque basilica which has national heritage status. It was founded in 722 by the Lombard king Liutprando

It has its own stone Romanesque basilica which has national heritage status. It was founded in 722 by the Lombard king Liutprando

It is considered one of Piedmont's most important medieval monuments, with plenty of arches and columns

It is considered one of Piedmont’s most important medieval monuments, with plenty of arches and columns

The abbey is at the heart of the complex and is described as a ‘true gem’ with frescoes from the 1300s and 1400s

The abbey is at the heart of the complex and is described as a ‘true gem’ with frescoes from the 1300s and 1400s

The church includes a crypt dating from the 8th Century,  with a mosaic floor, above. It also has Gothic elements

The church includes a crypt dating from the 8th Century,  with a mosaic floor, above. It also has Gothic elements

Almost every part of the breathtaking basilica has something interesting to view, from its architecture to its decorative walls

Almost every part of the breathtaking basilica has something interesting to view, from its architecture to its decorative walls

The historic estate is a former Benedictine convent, originally developed as part of the Romanesque Abbey of Santa Giustina di Sezzadio

The historic estate is a former Benedictine convent, originally developed as part of the Romanesque Abbey of Santa Giustina di Sezzadio

Dating back to the 11th century, this ancient, architecturally stunning complex has restored residential quarters preserving its original beauty and charm

Dating back to the 11th century, this ancient, architecturally stunning complex has restored residential quarters preserving its original beauty and charm

With 32,000sq ft of floorspace, the villa is around 35 times larger than a typical English family home, says Concierge Auctions

With 32,000sq ft of floorspace, the villa is around 35 times larger than a typical English family home, says Concierge Auctions

One of the 15 bedrooms at Villa Badia in Piedmont which boasts high ceilings and an original parquet floor

One of the 15 bedrooms at Villa Badia in Piedmont which boasts high ceilings and an original parquet floor

This room has sweeping countryside views. The Piedmont region of Italy is known for its elegant cuisine and Barolo wine

This room has sweeping countryside views. The Piedmont region of Italy is known for its elegant cuisine and Barolo wine

Grand: majestic state rooms and master bedrooms lead off the villa’s main gallery. The complex is composed of a picturesque 3,100 sq m main villa

Grand: majestic state rooms and master bedrooms lead off the villa’s main gallery. The complex is composed of a picturesque 3,100 sq m main villa

There is plenty of space to relax inside the property, which has an abundance of elegant, period features

There is plenty of space to relax inside the property, which has an abundance of elegant, period features

Dining areas include this spacious room, perfect for hosting parties and entertaining large groups of visitors

Dining areas include this spacious room, perfect for hosting parties and entertaining large groups of visitors

Villa Badia was previously on the market for €10 million (£8.75m), but will now be auctioned off between June 26 and 29 to the highest bidder - regardless of how low the final bid is

Villa Badia was previously on the market for €10 million (£8.75m), but will now be auctioned off between June 26 and 29 to the highest bidder – regardless of how low the final bid is

Outside is just as impressive, as the property includes shaded courtyards, above, some of which are covered with creepers

Outside is just as impressive, as the property includes shaded courtyards, above, some of which are covered with creepers

The main villa has a large professional kitchen and there are also five ancillary apartments, which either overlook the parkland, abbey or the cloister

The main villa has a large professional kitchen and there are also five ancillary apartments, which either overlook the parkland, abbey or the cloister

The property sits within nine hectares of grounds and includes a swimming pool, clay tennis court and small lake

The property sits within nine hectares of grounds and includes a swimming pool, clay tennis court and small lake



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