Perched atop the sand overlooking the Mediterranean Sea rests Villa Volpi, a majestic Neo-Classical palazzo situated one hour from Rome. Villa Volpi is the spectacular creation of Countess Nathalie Volpi di Misurata and is offered for sale by exclusive affiliate La Commerciale Srl

Rome, Italy — Perched atop the sand overlooking the Mediterranean Sea rests Villa Volpi, a majestic Neo-Classical palazzo situated one hour from Rome. Following in the tradition of Palladio, as well as ancient Greek architecture, this rare estate is a triumph of design ensconced amid 10.5 hectares, or about 26 acres, of natural terrain within a national park.

Set at the foot of Mount Circeo—where legend says the goddess Circe enchanted Odysseus with her voice on the slopes of the mountain—the majestic Villa Volpi is as rich with history as its mythical surroundings. This breathtaking estate is the singularly stunning creation of Countess Nathalie Volpi di Misurata, wife of Giuseppe Volpi who founded of the Venice Film Festival in 1932.

An eclectic noblewoman with a reputation for impeccable taste and refined elegance, the countess enlisted the celebrated Milanese architect Tomaso Buzzi to create her vision. Buzzi built the spectacular villa between 1958 and 1960, which consists of two parts with a central block flanked by two symmetrical, gently curving wings and a broad staircase that descends from the terrace to the edge of the sea. The centermost portion of the monumental structure contains the reception hall, dining room, and living room, plus three second-floor bedrooms including the master suite. The left wing has a flexible layout of four bedrooms facing the sea, while the right wing features a dining room and kitchen. A magnificent alfresco dining area under the arcade has played host to many of Countess Volpi’s notable guests, from celebrities to royalty and international dignitaries. The smaller block is on the lakeside and connects with the main block via a tunnel underneath the coast road.

Close to the area with the ruins of the palace that once belonged to the high-living Roman General Lucullus, Villa Volpi embraces its historical beginnings—both mythical and real. Countess Volpi sumptuously decorated the villa with superb consideration given to classical style and modern practicality.

On the doors of the guest apartments, the countess had the names of famous Imperial and Republican Roman figures—from Cicero to Septimius Severus beautifully inscribed. Equipped with ample space for parking and upscale entertaining, the villa features two additional buildings in the smaller block which is located on the other side of the road and is accessed by the underground tunnel. One building serves as a three-bedroom guest house, while the other is a double-garage with caretaker’s quarters. A two-bedroom cottage on the lake could be converted to four bedrooms, and an existing stable could be transformed into a two-bedroom guest house. The spectacular islands of Ponza and Palmarola are 17 nautical miles from the San Felice Circeo harbor, which is itself a four-mile drive from the villa.

“This home fosters an incredibly peaceful and glamorous way of life, bringing together a unique location in Italy—where waterfront properties of this scale are extremely rare—with the incredible sophistication of classical architecture interpreted at the highest standards of quality,” says Clarice Pecori Giraldi, of Christie’s Great Estates.

Villa Volpi is situated in Sabaudia, an exclusive seaside enclave located approximately 96 kilometers—roughly 60 miles or 50 minutes—south of Rome’s two airports. A favored holiday destination for Roman society since the 1960s, estates belonging to numerous members of the Roman aristocracy line the seafront. Villa Volpi boasts nearly 400 meters, or 1,300 feet, of Mediterranean coastline, providing breathtaking beaches and beautiful dunes that add to the privacy. Opposite the seaside, the waters of the lake provide a complete change of scenery and access to year-round waterskiing.

Villa Volpi is offered for sale at Price Upon Request by La Commerciale Srl, with international marketing services provided by Christie’s Great Estates.