Words by Carla Passino

Monte Giberto is tiny and beautiful.

Once home to the Benedectine monks out of the huge Farfa abbey, this hilltop village in Le Marche soon became an outpost in the defensive system that protected the city of Fermo.

The inevitable barrage of attacks from medieval lordlings intent on conquering the borgo and the city beyond it - including the famous Umbrian condottiero Braccio Fortebraccio - bequeathed it thick stone walls, which shelter it to this day. Inside the gates, pretty streets and narrow alleys lined with ancient stone houses lead to the elegant village square, Piazza della Vittoria, once the courtyard of the old castle, now the seat of the graceful 18th century Palazzo Municipale, and several lovely churches.

In one of the historic streets of Monte Giberto, up above ancient footpaths zigzagging a peaceful countryside of vineyards, sunflowers and golden wheat fields, Magic Marche are now selling a restored townhouse laid across three level. It has two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen and a large living room with an ancient fireplace. The interiors require some cosmetic improvement but, says Jane Smith of Magic Marche “spend 10,000 euros and the interior can be transformed from the existing decor into something bright and white and chic.”

What makes the house really attractive, though, is the panorama. Because it is built on a corner, it enjoys ‘fantastic’ views of the Marche countryside, both from the windows and from a pretty balcony that is big enough to eat outside.
The asking price for all this is a remarkably affordable £140,000.

“This offers great value for anyone wanting a lock-up-and-leave slice of medieval Italy,” says Smith. “For 140,000 euros (or possibly less in the current market) one will enjoy a house that is structurally sound, in a pretty medieval village, just one hour from Ancona airport and 45 minutes from the beautiful Sibillini mountains, which have walks in summer and skiing in winter. Long weekends, short breaks, the whole summer in the midst of historical Italy—all this is available with this property.”

For more information, contact Magic Marche on +44 (0)208 941 8300, info@magicmarche.co.uk, or visit www.magicmarche.com.