One of Italy’s most iconic properties, Villa Certosa on Sardinia’s Emerald Coast, is now up for sale marking the end of era — and for a mighty price, to boot.
This sprawling Mediterranean spread, once the playground for the late Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and his world leader guests, is now being offered to potential buyers for a staggering $538 million, according to a report in the Financial Times. The listing itself is hush-hush and being handled privately with no public advertising.
The allure of Villa Certosa extends beyond its opulent amenities, which include 68 rooms, a lagoon and a Grecian-style amphitheater — all spread across 271 acres.
It also houses history, serving as a backdrop for Berlusconi’s extravagant soirées and diplomatic gatherings.
“I have never had an evening like the one I had in Sardinia,” said Cherie Blair, recalling her 2004 visit to Villa Certosa with her husband. “Fireworks lit up the words ‘Viva Tony,’ and we all sang ‘Summertime’ together.”
Berlusconi, known for his flamboyant lifestyle and charismatic persona, spared no expense in transforming Villa Certosa into a haven for high-profile guests.
The villa’s pièce de résistance: a secret tunnel accessible only by boat that added an air of mystique to the property. The tunnel alone reportedly cost $400 million to build. Once inside, visitors disembarked into a cave before ascending via a lift to the hilltop home.
Over the years, Villa Certosa played host to an array of world leaders, including American President George W. Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, its reputation was not without controversy, with whispers of scandal occasionally tarnishing its illustrious façade.
While Berlusconi’s Villa San Martino in Milan gained infamy for its purported “bunga bunga” parties, Villa Certosa faced its own share of scrutiny when photographs surfaced of Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek in a compromising position during a visit.
Despite periodic rumors of its sale, Berlusconi vehemently denied any intentions to part with Villa Certosa. However, following his passing in June 2023, his five children — the inheritors of his vast estate — have decided to relinquish ownership of the storied property.
Villa Certosa’s listing comes amid a flurry of high-profile properties hitting the market, including the Rome estate of the Gucci heirs