Vrijstaande woning in Gratteri

Casa Viola - GratteriA historic little home in the heart of one of our favourite Sicilian villages, Casa Viola in Gratteri is a real winner at the affordable asking price.Intelligently used space on four floorsThe cosy little town house in fact offers 95m2 of living space, with a simple floor plan that sees one main room and one secondary space on each level. Starting from the bottom, we find two double bedrooms on the lowest two storeys of the property, each of which is actually set below the street level but open at the far side thanks to the steep hillside on which the house has been built. On both of these floors is a bathroom with a shower, one an en-suite and the other accessed off the little landing.The ground floor proper has a hallway with plenty of space for storing coats, shoes and so forth. Around the corner is a living room with a miniature balcony. Finally, the top level is home to the kitchen-diner, with bench seating in a nook under the window and all the fittings you would expect. We've saved the best for last though – the square terrace lets natural light flood into the kitchen and gives you an unbelievably nice option for outdoor dining, with a panoramic view that takes in practically the whole of Gratteri and much of the green surrounding countryside. It's a real treat that everyone is certain to love.Traditional, warm and welcomingThe current owners of Casa Viola have put real effort into the presentation of the home, and you will find it in very good condition. There is no need whatsoever to renovate or invest anything beyond the purchase price. We particularly like the blue and white ceramic tiles which have been used throughout, and which give the property a really distinctive identity. You'll find them underfoot in the entrance, all the rooms and on the upper staircase, and they've also been used to fully tile the two bathrooms.Other charming and distinctively Sicilian features include the exposed roof timbers on the ceilings of the bedrooms and kitchen. Up here you will also surely be charmed by the built-in brick oven, right in the middle of the room. It's not something you'll use every day - and as you can see there is also an alcove that's perfect for a more modern oven – but it does make a great centrepiece and on special occasions you can prepare your food in the historic style of the region.Natural wonders in all directionsGratteri is a scenic spot in the middle of the Madonie Park, with wonderful views and enticing driving roads and hiking trails in all directions. If you like your outdoor time a little more sedate, it's just seven kilometres to the north coast, where you'll find golden sandy beaches in all directions. A particular highlight is the iconic beach town of Cefalù, which you can reach in half an hour.For a full description of the property please visit our website

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