The perfect Sicilian property walking distance of one of Italy's most famous bakeries
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Nestled inside a charming, ivy-covered courtyard in one of Sicily’s most storied and beautiful hillside towns, “Bonomo Loft” is a truly unique property. In the summer, this courtyard comes to life as the location of a seasonal restaurant whose excellent traditional cooking is as affordable as it is mouth-watering...
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Part of an original 17th century property whose thick stone walls are as long as your arm, this is an apartment steeped in history. Regular renovation and refurbishment over the centuries has made it so that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort for your slice of a Sicilian dream. Found at the heart of the beautiful medieval fortress town of Castelbuono, one of the most culturally-important towns of its size anywhere on the island of Sicily, you’ll have the magnificent natural surrounds of the Madonie Natural Park, and an historic hub of gastronomy, music and outdoor sports at your doorstep.
In the summer, the courtyard comes to life as the location of a seasonal restaurant whose excellent traditional cooking is as affordable as it is mouth-watering.
{Description Courtesy of the Listing Agent}
In a corner of the main courtyard, the brick-built structure of Bonomo has been erected against the sturdy masonry of the original complex, sharing two walls with the historic building. A total of 84m2 are divided between two floors, which are topped with some neat and well-maintained terracotta roof tiles. A neat little outdoor staircase leads up to the bedroom, while at ground level the entrance is directly into the long rectangular living space.
Finished with smooth cream plaster, featured brickwork around the windows and climbing plants which wind their way up the trellises and handrails of the property, Bonomo Loft blends in perfectly with the cobbles and stonework of the older building in whose shadow it stands.
The long living space is partitioned into three distinct areas. The first has a large window out on the house’s shorter side. Through the open entrance you enter a dining room with a bookcase, a lovely antique dining suite and a smaller window. To your left is the bathroom, cheerily finished with and orange and blue tile.
Finally you reach a large, wonderfully bright kitchen. The architecture here is particularly creative, perfectly tying the food preparation and smaller dining area into the historic courtyard with a fully glazed wall looking out onto a small but private terrace. With Sicily’s long sunny days, there is no better lighting solution than the natural one above, and this feature window makes full use of the elements to make certain this will become the favorite space of any purchaser. Exactly how a kitchen on this food-mad island ought to be!
Smart blue and white tiles frame the fitted oven, gas hob and powerful extractor fan, while hardwood beams, the wooden staircase and the two-story ceiling above make the room feel especially rustic.
The internal staircase leads up to a pair of connected bedrooms – a single above the dining room, and then an unexpectedly spacious mezzanine right under the eaves where a double bed is found. This room is particularly full of character, with exposed stone walls dropping down to a wonderful patterned blue floor picked out in locally-produced ceramics underfoot.
Finally, there is a storeroom of 20m2, which it is not possible to see on the video. Outdoors you will have your own private parking space, so this room can be used to store outdoor furniture, tools, sports equipment… anything you can think of!
The house is predominantly heated by gas radiators, although a single air conditioning unit has been installed upstairs. Nearly 500m (.31 mile) above sea level, and with fantastic insulation from thick walls, the property is well protected from the extreme heat of Sicilian summers.
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The Details
Reduced to €150,000
Currency Conversions (as of January 2024)
About $165k USD | £129k GPB | $220k CAD | $246k AUD
2 Beds | 1 Baths | 84 m2
Location: Castelbuono, Sicily Italy
Watch a Property Tour
Location & About the Area
Since the 12th century, the settlement known today as Castelbuono has been inhabited by people drawn to its strategic location, fertile soil and wonderful panoramic views. The town rose to prominence with the construction of the Castle Ventimiglia, construction of which began in 1317. This epic, commanding structure still towers above the town’s main piazza to this day. Every August this mystical setting proves a spectacular backdrop to the unique Ypsigrock music festival, attracting international acts like The Flaming Lips.
Just along one of the beautifully preserved cobbled streets that keep the little hilltop community feeling like a bridge to the past, you come to the Fiasconaro bakery on Piazza Margherita. This local institution, founded seventy years ago by a trio of brothers, is now recognized (and frequently awarded prestigious international prizes) as one of the finest producers in the world of panettone.
Other sights of note in the market town of around 8,000 inhabitants include several noteworthy churches, home to significant artworks from the 15th and 16th centuries, and a museum of natural history. Besides the small supermarkets, grocery stores, fishmongers, butchers, chemists and other daily necessities you will find an array of local craftspeople producing woodwork, ceramics and some very stylish clothes.
Beyond the spectacular Madonie Park – a patchwork of villages and mountainous forests with excellent opportunities for hiking, trekking and even snow sports in winter – lie the warm waters of the Tyrrhenian Sea, with magnificent beach towns like the famous Cefalù, (as seen in HBO’s The White Lotus). Palermo, with its bustling markets, grand architecture, legendary street food and world class restaurants, is just over an hour away by car and has an airport with frequent connections to over 40 airports across Europe.
Take a Look Around with Google Street View
Watch a Walking Tour of Castelbuono Sicily Italy
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