Benano number 7 is a renovated "centro storico" property for sale in Umbria. It is a typical Italian village townhouse on three levels, built of stone into an old fortress wall, approximately fifty-six square meters in size (+/-600 square feet).
The structure is over 900 years old with a traditional look and feel. New electric and plumbing as well as highlighting traditional and characteristic details were completed in 2011. The house is comfortable and ready for occupancy with a few small projects awaiting a personal touch. There is a fan-assisted fireplace insert in the new, cozy kitchen, central heating with old-style iron radiators and roof-top satellite for TV reception. The tiled ceilings have chestnut beams and there are rustic brick floors. Connection installed for fixed line phone service. Excellent, latest-technology wifi internet service available.
The house comes modestly furnished for easy country living. The private entry is just next to a small piazza and medieval church. The entry hall at ground level has an Italian style bathroom with bidet and shower. On the first level is the kitchen with all you need for home cooking. The second level has a lounge and study, a large bedroom and half bath.
The house is located in Benano, a part of Orvieto, the most spectacular hill town in central Italy. As an outpost along the Pope's route from Rome to France and beyond, Benano is in the Umbrian countryside, Italy's green heart, and features easy access to the major cities, towns and sights that are the essence of Italy. You can make easy day trips as the tourist inside feels the urge. There are lovely walks in the fields and hills just outside your door. Lake Bolsena is clear and clean and twenty minutes by car down the road. The sea and beaches are about an hour away. Rome is just an hour and a quarter by car, about the same by train. Florence is an hour and a half, a little more by train.
Benano, equidistant from Orvieto and Aquapendente, has friendly long-time Italian residents, few foreigners and almost no tourists. The chatter in the small piazza on summer evenings ceases punctually at 10, or maybe 10.30--punctual understood in the context of wait-a-moment authentic Italian rhythms. Year round there are community festivals and dinners, including the annual Festa of the Madonna della Neve in early August. Pageantry, dancing and food for all.
Discover what it means to live in Italy as an Italian. Meet the bread truck at ten in the morning. A full grocery and essentials vendor appears on Fridays about noon. The fishmonger arrives early on Tuesdays, and other shops on wheels appear regularly. Or get in the car and take advantage of the many shopping options in nearby villages and towns. Market days in Orvieto are Thursdays and Saturdays.
Parking is outside the main arch and fortress wall, less than a minute's walk from number 7's front door. Italian language skills are not necessary but using a phrase or two is much appreciated. Some roosters crow in the distance in the morning and a few dogs occasionally bark. Otherwise Benano is very peaceful and a pleasure.
This house, whether used as a year round residence or as a holiday home, will feel like just what it is, a traditional Italian home in a panoramic location from which to witness the daily moods of Orvieto and its famous cathedral in the foreground and snow-capped peaks in winter on the distant eastern horizon.
Price: About € 135.000, reflecting the current demand for a renovated Orvieto property of this size located in an historic center. Trade or other innovative offers considered. Closing and taxes which must be in a contract drawn up by an Italian notary will affect the final price. A multi-lingual estate agent is also available to assist in the transaction.
Contact info here.
