Conti Beccaris Castle-Villa in Poggio Catino, about 50 km from Rome.

This prestigious castle-villa is located in Poggio Catino, about 50 km from the city center of Rome. Poggio Catino is a marvellous little town in the heart of the Sabina. It was conquered in 290 B.C. by the Roman Militia led by Commander Manius Curius Dentatus, and its inhabitants were immediately given the right to vote and became Roman citizens. Over the centuries, no major alterations have been made to the surrounding area, therefore it has remained intact and flourishing. This little castle was commissioned by General Giovanni Beccaris in 1890, and built on the remains of a Roman Imperial Villa. Beccaris, General under King Umberto I of Savoy, being of Valdostane origins, built his residence based on the model of the Val d'Aosta castles. The numerous remains from the Roman era testify to the importance of the site, which, some popular legends say, hides a treasure. A large tree-lined avenue leads to the residence which is immersed in the green of a magnificent park with English-style lawns, the smell of fine essences and tall-trunked trees. The castle is found on the original structure of the Roman Villa, and it is made up of 3 floors. On the first floor on the inside, there is a big lounge with sofas and a fireplace, a big dining room, a large kitchen and a toilet, while outside there is a big patio with sofas and a dining area. On the second floor there are two double bedrooms, one single bedroom, one bathroom with hydro-massage bathtub and a bathroom with a shower, a big suite with a double bedroom, sitting area, en-suite bathroom with a Jacuzzi bathtub for 2 people, and a studio with a desk and a sofa bed. On the third floor there is a big attic room with 4 double beds and a bathroom with a shower. Outside you can see some recently constructed buildings designed by a notable Roman architect. Close to the swimming pool, next to which are many sitting areas, you can see a large, modern nymphaeum with sofas for 15 people, a large fireplace, a dining area, a wonderful modern hi-tech kitchen and a gym. Also close to the swimming pool there is a tennis/soccer court and 4 suites, each one featuring a double bed and a bathroom with a shower. There is also an area with a wood oven/grill and a dining area. A very large park with a vegetable garden and an orchard are important features of this property. The castle features air conditioning in most of the rooms, satellite LCD TV in all rooms, video entry phone, Hi-Fi stereo system, DVD player, washing machine and dishwasher. Its antique, highest-quality furnishings and dècor and the precious materials used for the renovation complement this marvellous villa.