Upscale property market - The price to obtain Villa Aurora is 470 million euros, with no interest required. [ )
In 1599, Cardinal Francesco Maria Bourbon del Monte constructed a magnificent villa perched atop the highest point in Rome. This sparked the beginning of an extensive art collection that adorned the villa in its early days. One of the first acquisitions was a ceiling painting by the renowned Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio.
In 1621, Cardinal Ludovico Ludovisi obtained the property from del Monte. He followed suit, becoming a patron of the arts and further enriching the villa's impressive exhibition. The subsequent centuries witnessed visits from notable figures in the literary and artistic world like Goethe, inspired by the legendary estate's charm.
The Descent into Dispute
After the cardinal's passing, his heirs dismantled parts of the art collection while expanding the land. By the time of a majestic wedding held at Villa Ludovisi, the property spanned a lengthy distance - from its current location to Piazza Fiume, about 1.2 kilometers away.
At the end of the 19th century, the villa met its tragic demise due to political and financial turmoil. Only a fraction of the original estate known as Villa Aurora di Villa Ludovisi Boncompagni, encompassing a modest 2,000 square meters, survives today.
In 2018, an inheritance quarrel erupted within the family over ownership of the villa. Following the demise of owner Nicolò Boncompagni Ludovisi, his wife inherited half and his three sons inherited the remaining half. Despite a foreclosure, the estate's debts could not be paid off by one party, causing a standstill.
In 2023, authorities evacuated the villa after invading the home of the late prince's wife, Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi. She resided there until being evicted by the authorities and subsequently moved to a friend's property in close proximity to Rome.
The expensive villa became embroiled in a controversy surrounding its maintenance and additional income generated by tours of the estate. A judge ruled in favor of the descendant's claim about unauthorized revenues stemming from these tours.
The Exorbitant Price Tag
With multiple artworks within the villa, experts initially valued it at 470 million euros for a forced sale. This was given five attempts, all with significant discounts, to no avail.
Princess Rita Boncompagni Ludovisi inhabited the villa until it was seized. Her sons from the first marriage perceived this as neglect and believed she profited from the property through these unauthorized tours. However, no sales have materialized to date.
Speaking to stern magazine, an expert in high-priced properties, Ignace Meuwissen, reflects on the ongoing challenges associated with the villa's ownership and upkeep. He has even encountered a possible buyer willing to pay 100 million, but was turned down by the seller.
Amidst ongoing speculation and potential downsizing, Meuwissen believes both the princess and the heirs would agree upon a much lower price, around 60 million euros. "The house now stands vacant, awaiting an offer, but there are none at the moment due to unrealistic expectations," he explained.
Additionally, some media outlets suggest Princess Rita has reached out to the Italian government to acquire the property. The government is exploring the possibility of transforming the villa into a museum to preserve its rich assortment of artwork. The villa's tumultuous ownership history adds to its enchanting allure and intrigue.
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Source: www.stern.de
