CASTELLO STELLA Villa

Situated on the sweet hills of the upper Monferrato, Vaglio Serra is in a panoramic position dominating the hills and valleys below. The town offers such interesting buildings as the Palazzo Baronale, where the town hall is now located. The hamlet has ancient origins and was founded in 200 B.C. as garrison to protect the Roman road that passed through it. Originally called "Vallium", the "Sierra" was added later during the Spanish domination (1612 - 1631). Piemonte, region of wines, truffles and sweets, comprises the cities of Asti (Festival of the truffle and of the cardoon), Alba, Nizza Monferrato and Canelli - all places south of the Tanaro river that evoke the bouquet of fine wines, the fragrance of chocolate, and the aroma of truffles. The region is rich with wineries and gourmet restaurants and the hilltops are spotted with castles. 

There are many historical feasts and re-enactments in the area, such as the famous Palio D'Asti. The thermal spa of Agliano Terme is at 10 kms from the hamlet, and the Ligurean seaside is only an hour drive. Nizza Monferrato is at 3.5 kms and offers all shops, facilities, a weekly open-air market, and an antiques market every 3rd Sunday of the month. The town of Bra, where the international "Slow Food" organisation has its base, is also nearby. The capital city of Piemonte is Torino. It is only 100 kms away and merits a visit because of its architectural importance and its many museums. The area of the 2006 Olimpics is an hour's drive from Castello Stella.

Castello Stella dates back to the year 1400 and the Italian Arts Commission protects it. Along its façade runs an ancient wooden balustrade, and the square tower shows its initial military purpose. Originally the castle was a single unit, while today it is divided into two sections with different owners. The part of the castle we offer belongs to a young architect that has specialised in the restoration of ancient buildings. The regional laws limited the interventions she operated and many of the alterations dating back to the 700 and 800's could not be modified, including several frescoes on the ceilings. The castle belonged to the Stella family for many generations, but was not treated with much respect until the present owner set her hand at trying to recuperate this historical pearl. 

Access to the property is from a huge wooden portal that opens into the Castle's private fenced-in, furnished garden. In the garden is a utilities building that remains closed. The caretakers have access to it for maintenance of the grounds and pool. Next to the building is the private 4 X 6 meter swimming pool. Private entrance to the castle is up an external flight of stairs and through a wooden portal that opens into a living room. A door on the right in the living room opens into a complete bathroom with bathtub. To the left of the living room is a spacious kitchen that is complete with gas range, electric ventilated oven, dishwasher, fridge with freezer and fireplace.
 
Through the living room is the dining room in original Liberty style, and through the dining room is the staircase leading to the first floor. To the left of the staircase, always at ground floor, is a huge entrance hall with doors that lead outside. Past the staircase and up one step is a spacious liveable modern kitchen with central island finished in Carrara marble and fully equipped with gas range and fridge with freezer. The kitchen has a dining area and a fireplace, and on one side is an ancient wooden staircase that originally lead to the first floor, and is now simply an element of decoration.
 
A door on the right of the kitchen leads, up one step into a twin bedded room with fireplace. A door in this bedroom opens into a spacious complete bathroom with shower. A door in the bathroom opens back into the hallway near the staircase. The staircase has two ramps of stairs and culminated on a landing with a living room with fireplace on the left. A door in the living room opens into the master double bedroom with fireplace and ensuite complete bathroom with shower. Across the landing is a hall with doors to two double bedrooms and to a complete bathroom with bathtub. To the right of the landing is the door to a passage room with twin beds that leads to a double bedroom with original fireplace and ensuite complete bathroom with shower. 

The castle is comfortably furnished and includes some antique pieces. The floors are in the original cotto, and the ceilings show the original frescoes, that the owner is waiting for authorisation to restore to their initial glory. There is a baby cot, washing machine, telephone, and satellite TV. Central heating is payable on consumption together with firewood, and maid service is provided for 4 hours twice a week and costs Euro 115 per week.