What if Romeo hadn’t drank the poison? What if Juliet had awoken to find her beau alive & kicking at her bedside and they’d ridden off into the sunset in search of a love nest, to live out the rest of their days happily ever after? Now that would be a house I’d like to visit. And some five centuries after their story is thought to have taken place, it appears as if the Italian real estate market has really changed all that much. You see, I’ve been imaginary house-hunting again in the dreamy property books of Italian agency Lionard, and it seems there is no shortage of historic castles and palatial estates fit for a Montague heir and his runaway bride. Palazzo’s of all shapes and sizes, waiting for a new generation to save them from ruin. Let’s just play real estate agent to Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers for a moment…
In Fair Verona
A 16th century Renaissance villa on the outskirts of Verona, fitting almost the exact image one might have had in their mind of the Capulet family home imagined by Shakespeare.
Immersed in a silent 7 hectare park with a magnificent path lined with cypresses, statues, fountains and a nymphaeum colonnade, the villa is known as Villa ca’ Vendri, a name that seems to have derived from Venus, as, in Roman times, it is said that there was a temple in the area devoted to this goddess. For centuries, this villa and its park have been the ideal place for festivals, meetings and weddings, which is currently its primary use.
Take a wander through more of this villa.
A Balcony Upgrade for Juliet
A period villa a few kilometres from Turin, reached via a tree-lined street after the gate with twin staircases leading up to the 10 bedroom, 2000 m2 house.
In the last 4 centuries, the villa has had visitors such as French King Louis XIII, Ferdinand Duke of Mantua and the Marquis of Monferrato and Cardinal Richelieu.
In every room on the ground floor, there are frescoes of biblical and mythological scenes, and the majestic main staircase flanked by ancient sculptures leads up to a balcony with panoramic views of the estate.
See more of this palatial love nest here.
Something in Town (by the water)
Swapping fair Verona for Venezia, I think Romeo & Juliet would feel right at home in this jaw-dropping 6000+ m² neo-gothic family home…
This stunning Venetian pad has only ever been used as a private home, but practically every single room in this place belongs in a museum. You could host a carnival ball of the century in here.
Poke around more of this Venetian palazzo here.
Romantic Palace with a View, Frozen in Time
An amazing palace, but at the same time, a lonely one, waiting for new owners to wake her from her slumber. Situated on the banks of Lake Iseo with a private peer and surrounded by a magnificent park, these walls have many stories to tell…
The 3000m² estate belonged to the Martinoni family, who produced wine in the region, possibly in the basement of this very palace.
This scene ↑ might remind you of the house from The Sound of Music…
Discover the Palazzo Martinoni here.
Forbidden Lovers’ Fort
In case the star-crossed couple need to fend off their feuding family in-laws, this 15th century castle would do just perfectly. Located in province of Brescia, another of Lake Iseo’s jewels, it was built as a fortress by the Oldofredi family, who hosted the last queen of Cyprus here.
Juliet’s balcony would have views of the small island of St. Paul, and is large enough to host dinners and parties with panoramic views of the lake. The four-storey 550m² castle has six bedrooms and surrounding land of around 5,200 m².
Check out your dream castle here.
