Monday, August 21, 2006

Oh, sorry! We're spending the weekend at my castle in Umbria.

Castello Carbonana was built in the 5th century as a military signal post during the period when the Senate was in Rome and the Emperor resided in Ravenna and the main tower of the castle dates from this time. In the 10th century the Templar order rebuilt the smaller tower, which is the jagged part on the front of the castle. The round tower was built in the 12th century and the abbot was given the title of Count of Carbonana. A painting of Castello Carbonana - dated to 1495 - appears on a large wall map in a corridor that leads from the Vatican museum to the Sistine Chapel.

The building as it stands now, complete with the roofed sections, was completed in the 14th century and has 37 rooms. In addition to housing five gracious apartments, the castle also contains wine cellars, dungeons, tower rooms, and more. American standard plumbing and wiring are installed throughout the castle. One of the castles ‘crown jewels’ is the large, natural rock swimming area with waterfall that overlooks the valley. The building itself is in excellent condition and there is also a connected 12-room cottage.

Situated on top of a stunning cypress-covered hill at 2300 feet above sea level, Castello Carbonana overlooks 50 acres of land that include two other hills and a pastoral valley. It has a vineyard, olive grove, and many fruit trees. The Apennine Mountains line the horizon, completing a truly majestic view from the castle out to the beautiful Umbrian countryside.

The Cost is 6 million US Dollars

Castello Carbonana is located ½ hour North of Perugia, 2-1/2 hours from Rome and just an hour from the Adriatic Sea.

Really! Dungeons and American Plumbing--Do you take Mastercard?