For sale cottage in quiet zone Salsomaggiore Terme Emilia-Romagna

The “Antica Torre“ of Podere la “Colombara“ is an ancient dwelling located in a dominant position in the lush and unspoiled “Valle di Salsominore“, a few steps from Salsomaggiore Terme, one of the tourist-thermal pearls of Emilia-Romagna.
An ancient Podere, also resulting from historical maps, of about 2 hectares, at the center of which is located the dwelling, dominated by the tower that, in all probability, gave precisely the name to the Podere itself (in ancient times, these towers were used for the breeding of pigeons that represented a source of livelihood for the surrounding hamlets as well).
The Salsominore Valley is a valley truly rich in nature, silence and history, surrounded by the typical rolling hills of Emilia. Even so, the property, maintaining all the prerogatives of location mentioned above, is only km. 1.2 from the central square of the town of Salsomaggiore Terme, a square in which is located one
of the most beautiful expressions of the “Art Nouveau“ artistic style, namely the historic “Berzieri“ spa.
In fact, we are located in a truly strategic position: in the territory of Parma bordering the province of Piacenza, only half an hour´s drive from the city of Parma and Piacenza, and only an hour´s drive from Bologna and Milan...as well as from the sea of Versilia.
The Antica Torre has an ancient history: the structure certainly dates back to around the year one thousand, so much so that legend has it that Barbarossa, in his wanderings around the 12th century through Italy, had lodged his horses and squires in the stables in the basement where a splendid tavern has been recovered today.
Certainly, in past centuries, this Podere has always represented a strategic center for the Valley, being located in a dominant position with respect to the underlying “Antiche Saline di Salsominore,“ whose Farnesian portico from the 1600s can be distinctly glimpsed from the windows of the property´s hall, as well as from the park itself.
In 1981 the “Podere Colombara“ was purchased by Riccardo Cabrini, a native of Salsomore, who, after many years traveling around Europe managing fine hotels, dedicated himself to restoring the structure, with a delicate renovation that respected the original materials.
For about 40 years, he then devoted his energies to the setting up of the magnificent park surrounding the house of about 3,000 meters, planting every kind of plant and shrub; a park that seems to become an integral part of the house, with its paths, its small fountains, the romantic pond and a lighting system that allows you to enjoy this spectacle even in the evening hours.
In this context, the owner has organized many events and theme evenings over the years with
illustrious personalities of Italian culture, being able moreover to cultivate in such an environment his
stone painting art (of which we find numerous works inside the dwelling).
THE DWELLING.
The dwelling is located, in fact, in the center of the Podere and is distinguished by the thousand-year-old stone tower.
The building is elevated 3 floors above ground, in addition to the basement, is and is characterized by two large living rooms with fireplace and tiled wood stoves, 2 kitchens (one on the ground floor and one in the basement), 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms.
Specifically on the ground floor, we find:
- adjacent to the entrance the janitor´s room, with bathroom and access to boiler room and
laundry room;
- entrance hall with large glass door;
- two living rooms on two levels, connected by a few steps, equipped with a large stone fireplace in the first living room, and a tiled wood stove in the second; said living rooms are surmounted by millennia-old large wooden beams on the roof.
- a study room, which accesses the first hall;
- a kitchen on the ground floor of the tower, equipped with a characteristic wood-burning stove;
- a bedroom;
- a bathroom;
- a dining room with access to the large covered porch of about 80 square meters.
First floor:
- 2 bedrooms, 1 of which is in the tower;
- a bathroom;
- a storage room and an attic space.
Second floor:
- 1 bedroom located in the highest part of the tower.
Basement (tavern):
- 1 bedroom with a stone fireplace;
- a large kitchen with stone walls and wood stove;
- a bathroom;
- a large garage and central heating plant.
The total area of the house is about 450 sqm, accompanied by a covered porch of 80 sqm and a garage of 60 sqm.
In front of the entrance we find a large courtyard area in traditional cemented beola.
The land surrounding the property is about 18,000 sq m (about 2 ha), of which at least 3,000 sq m is used as a Park, equipped with lighting all around the perimeter.
The dwelling is equipped with an automatic entrance gate, alarm system, direct connection to the gas network, as well as a radiator heating system that can be powered by either gas or wood, interior and exterior windows and doors in fine wood, as well as traditional terracotta flooring throughout the entire walkable surface, including the porch.
The house, also due to the thickness of the perimeter walls, does not require air conditioning, even in the hottest months.
The windows are equipped with mosquito nets and anti-intrusion gratings.
With respect then to use and expansion, the R.U.E. regulations provide for, among other things:
- the possibility of increasing the usable surface area, obtainable within the existing volume of the building, with a limit of 100 sq. m;
- the volumetric expansion of the building for the purpose of functional adaptation or splitting of the housing unit, through a new construction within the limit of 65 sq. m.
- in the land surrounding the property, again according to the provisions of the current R.U.E., Z3 uses (setting up private appurtenant facilities, swimming pools, outdoor sports equipment), N6 uses (sheltering tools, materials, agricultural products) and N4 uses (animal shelters not for livestock production purposes) are allowed.

THE PARK
As mentioned of the approximately 2 ha surrounding the property, in the gentle slope of the hill, about 3,000 sq. m. is used as a Park.
The flowerbeds, all bordered by the fossil stones typical of the valley, unravel around large green areas, surrounded by plants of all kinds, such as oaks, downy oaks, black hornbeams, willows, poplars, ash trees, firs, maritime pines, cypresses and numerous fruit trees.
There are elegantly landscaped areas and a small romantic pond, accompanied by throngs of goldfish.

In the outer part, all of which, however, is bordered by appropriate fencing, there is the rest of the land for agricultural use.
A driveway then encircles the house allowing easy access to the land, in the back of which there is also a small pedestrian bridge that allows you to cross the “Rio Gardello“ (which marks the southern boundary of the property) and access the splendid 6-kilometer pedestrian and bicycle path that connects the Salsominore Valley to the protected nature area of the “Parco dello Stirone“ on a slight slope.

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