LUXURIOUS VILLA IN BARGA, ITALY TO BE AUCTIONED BY WILLIAMS & WILLIAMS
Historical estate features idyllic setting and panoramic views for the ultimate Tuscan retreat
Tulsa, OK – May 21, 2012 – (RealEstateRama) — Williams & Williams, the premier brand in real estate auctions, today announced it will sell without reserve the elegant Tuscan estate, Villa Sognare, located in the storied village of Barga, Italy at 11 a.m. EDT, Wednesday, June 20 in a live, global auction. Interested buyers can bid on-site or in real time from anywhere at auctionnetwork.com.
This luxurious estate is fully-furnished and features 10,000+/- square feet of living space, including nine bedrooms, seven baths, two kitchens, two dining rooms, four sitting rooms, one tower room and a Turkish sauna.
Named one of the 50 most beautiful villages of Italy, the medieval town of Barga sits along the Serchio River and dates back to the year 1000. Nestled in the beautiful mountainous northwest corner of Tuscany, with its cobbled lanes and quaint village, Barga remains largely untouched by mass tourism. The historical town has retained its medieval foundations, narrow streets, tiny square and steep stairwells while the 12th century cathedral overlooking the town boasts impressive scenic views.
The Villa Sognare estate sits at one of the highest points of the town, providing privacy as well as a magnificent panorama of the region. The breathtaking grounds feature an outdoor fireplace, bar and shower along with sun beds and fountains. Private gardens, lined with stone pathways, provide a park like setting with terraces overlooking many of the town’s festivities, but also offering complete privacy and solitude. Ancient trees shade the property and serve as landmarks for the town itself. The property is just minutes away from restaurants, shops, galleries and cafes.
Rich in history, the villa was built by the noble Bertacchi family in the mid-1700s, and incorporates a much older villa into its grand design. The three story tower that anchors the villa was built over the ruins of the medieval fortification tower for the village of Barga, while the walls on the south side are part of the ramparts which historically surrounded the city. The owners have meticulously renovated the villa over the last eight years, restoring this beautiful palazzo while adding modern amenities.
“Villa Sognare currently serves as a bed-and-breakfast and event venue for corporate meetings and weddings,” said DC Roberts, Senior Director of Distinctive & International Sales at Williams & Williams. “It can easily provide a wonderful retreat for families or individuals seeking privacy or a second home in the heart of Tuscany.”
The town of Barga has long attracted painters, poets and writers and still does today. It is known for its opera and jazz festivals and like much of the Tuscan region, offers outdoor activities including horseback riding, mountain biking, canoeing, and skiing. Celebrities gravitate to Barga because of its idyllic beauty and private escape, unlike the metropolitan areas of Rome or Pisa. Susan Sarandon recently traced her family’s roots to Barga on the show “Who Do You Think You Are,” which uncovers celebrity genealogies.
Villa Sognare is the latest in a series of high profile auctions conducted by Williams & Williams. Most recently, the company auctioned “The Nation’s Smallest Town” in Buford, Wyoming and will auction several noteworthy properties in Oklahoma including a private golf course and country club and the Grisso Mansion, an Italian Renaissance gem in Seminole.
For more details about Williams & Williams’ auction of Villa Sognare, visit http://williamsauction.com/tuscany. To view the property visit http://vimeo.com/42590776.
About Williams & Williams:
Williams & Williams® is a worldwide real estate auction leader. The only auction company to combine the proven effectiveness of live, at-the-property auctions with the global reach and convenience of real time, interactive bidding, Williams & Williams’ auction teams sell real estate throughout the United States and abroad. We have a proven performance record for all types of real estate sales including residential, commercial, farms and ranches, and distinctive properties.
