Arpino, Frosinone, Lazio, Italy

Appartamento Elviretta - an enchanting property in the quaint Vicolo Santa Croce in a charming quarter in the heart of historic Arpino, the City of Cicero.

Vicolo Santa Croce traverses the important Via Spaccamela and is close to the main thoroughfare of Corso Tulliano and the central Piazza Municipio. The residence is part of a distinguished and important historic building and benefits from an independent main entryway.

Spread across a single level, it encompasses a generous residential area of 220 square meters, with additional cellars spanning 100 square meters across the semi-basement floors. A particular advantage is the fact that the property is free on three sides and the generous windows bathe every corner of the interior in beautiful natural light.

A splendid double-leaf ancient and fortified door, adorned with characterful antique door knockers, graciously welcomes visitors. Beyond this portal we encounter an elegant maroon-colored vestibule spanning 10 square meters, adorned with vaulted ceilings, an architectural motif echoed throughout the property with its imposing arches and throughways. From here, one is immediately greeted by a 20 square meter living room, with adjoining utility closet. Adjacent to this we find a distinctive 15 square meter masonry kitchen, delightfully decorated with exquisite Andalusian ceramic tiles and featuring a characteristic vaulted ceiling. The structure allows for the exciting possibility of developing a unified living and kitchen area by removing the dividing partition. The generously-sized bathroom is a wonderful space with architectural and stylistic elements of bygone eras yet complete with a spacious shower enclosure.

The grandeur of this historic and stately apartment is further evident throughout its rooms, most of which boast the typical terrazzo flooring, a blend of marble granules and semi-precious stone, radiating beauty and ancient charm. Completing the accommodation are an additional 4 very spacious and beautifully proportioned rooms, suitable for a master bedroom, second bedroom, a study or relaxation areas - respectively measuring 25 square meters, another 25 square meters, and two others at 22 square meters each. Marvelous ceiling decorations add to the charm and ambiance, while large windows fill the rooms in warm natural light.

The sleeping quarters are characterized by marvelous cementine flooring, typical of ancient historical homes, colorful cement tiles adorned with varied shapes and designs, resembling small works of art.

The property features a second entrance hallway spanning 22 square meters, providing access both to the dwelling and the underlying cellars. Splendid hallways and ancient staircases lead to the lower levels, evoking a palpable sense of history and nostalgia. Access to the cellars is facilitated by a charming inner courtyard adorned with a spring water-filled basin, adding a touch of tranquility and grace and providing a wonderfully cool and tranquil space even in the hottest days of summer.

The residence is equipped with independent methane-powered heating and radiator systems, all rooms are habitable, and the windows are fitted with double-glazed PVC frames (externally secured with armored iron shutters), and a satellite TV system.

ARPINO AND THE CIOCIARIA
Arpino is one of the major medieval hilltop towns in the area of Italy called the Ciociaria, the name given to the fertile land that lies south of Rome but north of Naples, situated inland in the hills in the heart of Italy. The Ciociaria region is within easy reach of both Rome and Naples and their respective airports. A day's shopping in Rome is a common pastime, while an even shorter drive brings you to the charming beaches south of Rome.
Alternatively, drive east, and the mountains of the Abruzzo National Park await with horse trekking in the magnificent beech forests, and sparkling mountain lakes and rivers where you can swim in the heat of the summer. And at the other extreme of temperature, although Arpino itself is temperate, less than an hour's drive brings you to the winter ski slopes.
Often overlooked, both by tourists and by those foreigners in search of an Italian home, in favour of the more publicised regions of Tuscany and Umbria, the Ciociaria remains largely an unspoilt gem with beautiful scenery and medieval hilltop towns. A home or second home in the Ciociaria, in the hilltop towns of Arpino, Veroli, Alatri or Alvito or in the rolling countryside that surrounds them, will afford you a setting where over two thousand years of history combine with an idyllic rural Italian lifestyle, where you can still discover the 'real' Italy and take time out from the busy crowds of the larger tourist cities, while being less than ninety minutes journey from central Rome or either of Rome's two airports.

VIA ROMANA Srls and CASE & CASALI REAL ESTATE AGENCY
Via Romana Srls is an Italian-incorporated company owned by a British/Australian Chartered Accountant and her photographer daughter, and offers a package of services to facilitate all aspects of the purchase and restoration of Italian property by overseas clients. The Via Romana team works in collaboration with various fully-licensed Italian real estate agencies including Case & Casali Real Estate Agency represented by Sig. Ciro Tomei. Sig. Tomei has been enrolled in the register of real estate agents at the Chamber of Commerce in Frosinone, Lazio since 2007, his agency is one of the largest and most highly-regarded real estate agents in the area and he has much experience in the international marketing of Italian real estate.