Property Description

Beautiful, spacious four-bedroom property with beautiful views in the heart of coveted Collesano

Casa alla Basilica is a beautifully traditional, move-in ready property with ample space in a prime location in Collesano, one of the best places to buy property that Sicily has to offer. Sold at a very reasonable price, this property offers you plenty of space and bedrooms, sunrise views in the morning from over Basilica Di San Pietro, and panoramic views from a top floor which could potentially be converted into a very large rooftop terrace.

Accompanied by the church alongside it, Casa alla Basilica finds itself in a prime location in Collesano, a beautiful town that blends Sicilian tradition with a burgeoning expat community. If you want to enjoy the Sicilian seaside, Collesano is a short drive from the beach in Campofelice di Roccella, down the road from the larger regional town of Cefalù; and for culture lovers, it is only an hour away from the historic Sicilian capital, Palermo.

The house boasts up to three bedrooms and a very large living room on its first floor. On the top floor you can find a beautifully decorated traditional Sicilian kitchen attended by a spacious dining room. This room is sandwiched between a bathroom and a conservatory with an easterly view on one side, and a large room on the other that is just waiting to be converted into a roof terrace.

Moving furniture in is the only work you will need to do, as this property is already in fantastic condition, benefitting from modern air conditioning and heating, an already restructured and high roof, and good installations throughout the property.

The Property

As you enter the apartment from the staircase, the long hallway does well to accommodate the huge space afforded by the first floor of the property. Following the wall to the left there are two small rooms, the first of which has enough space for a double bed, and the second of which has a lot of useful storage space to the left-hand side. These could both serve as small bedrooms, or alternatively, the second room along could be converted into a cosy study thanks to all of its built-in storage space.

Continuing down the hall there is a beautifully decorated and spacious bathroom with a shower, toilet, sink with a mirror, and a large window at the end for proper air circulation. Just around the corner is the master bedroom with ample space for a double bed, and a south-east-facing view to watch the sun rise over the basilica in Piazza Plebiscito.

Following back along the long corridor the large sitting room, fitted with an air conditioner for the summer, and a gas radiator for the winter, offers a lot of space for sofas, a television, and much more. This spacious room has a window with a mosquito net (a welcome addition for any house in Sicily) and a beautiful view of the hills to the north.

Up the stairs to the top floor there is a spacious and traditional Sicilian kitchen with terra cotta floor tiles, complete with an oven, a cooktop, and some beautiful wooden cabinets lining the room, divided from the dining area by a half-wall. An arched corridor brings you on the right to another decently sized bathroom with a washing machine, and a covered conservatory with the best view of the old church.

The other side of this floor boasts a huge space which is currently covered but could easily be turned into a beautiful rooftop terrace. Through the windows to the north you’ll see the mountains, to the south you can see the church, and the west facing balcony offers sweeping views of the countryside, Collesano’s medieval castle, and the sea. This apartment building offers the best view on the street, competing with the bell tower a few tens of metres away.

Surroundings

Collesano is, without a doubt, one of the best places in Sicily to buy property, and Casa alla Basilica finds itself in a prime location. Blending the serene charm of a small village with the vibrancy and convenience of urban living, Collesano affords you the best of both worlds. On top of this, Collesano has a burgeoning international community and active social scene, so if you don’t yet speak good Italian and you’re worried about fitting in with the local culture, you’ll always have your new neighbours to help you settle in.

Casa alla Basilica, as hinted in the name, is found just a few metres from Basilica di San Pietro slightly north of the centre of town. Convenience is key in Collesano, with the supermarket a mere three-minute drive, or a 15-minute walk away if you fancy a stroll in the sunshine. As the house is in the centre of town, you will find yourself spoiled for choice as the centre of town is dotted with an array of restaurants, cafés, and pubs.

Collesano itself is found at the western edge of the beautiful Madonie national park, making it the perfect place for a hike in nature. A 65-minute drive will take you to Sicily’s vibrant and burgeoning capital, Palermo, famous for its rich history, grand theatres and cathedral, and delicious street food. If you’re looking for a day at the seaside, the coastal town of Cefalù is 35 minutes away; or stop on the way at Campofelice di Roccella, only 20 minutes away. All of these locations are also easily accessible by public transportation.

Whether you’re seeking relaxation by the sea, a hike in nature, or city sightseeing, Collesano serves as your gateway to the best that Sicily has to offer.

Potential

In this section we would normally tell you about all of the improvements that have to be made to the house before you can live in it, but Casa alla Basilica is in fantastic condition and is absolutely move-in ready. It has modern air conditioners, heating with gas radiators, the double-glazed windows are in good condition and the house boasts good installations throughout. The only thing we can think to do would be to convert the top room into a rooftop terrace, as it’s too good an opportunity to pass up.

As mentioned before, Casa alla basilica will be sold unfurnished. Purchasing a house unfurnished allows you the freedom to furnish and decorate the space according to your personal taste and style. Repainting the walls is much easier, and you can choose good quality furniture that suits your preferences and also falls within your budget, reducing the need for repairs while also avoiding being stuck needing to move furniture you don’t want or need.

Additionally, moving to Sicily entails various benefits. While the island’s relaxed lifestyle is perfect for over-65s, it’s also becoming increasingly attractive to digital nomads and entrepreneurs due to favourable tax incentives under the inpatriate tax scheme, potentially reducing tax liability by 90% to thank you for choosing ‘la dolce vita’ under the sun.

If you are interested in one of these apartments, but don’t know how to get started, our team will be happy to help you every step of the way.