Spigno Saturnia, Latina, Lazio, Italy

Villa Saturnia is secluded villa set in its own grounds, perched high above the Tyrrhenian sea. The striking local rock has been used throughout, marrying the villa to its striking setting. Terraced garden areas alternate with winding paths and trees. A stone kennel peaks out from among the trees, an unusual spiky boulder is erected as an obelisk on the entry path, and between the trees, views of the mountains alternate with views of the valley and the sea. A pool could be constructed (subject to the usual consents) on one of these terraced garden areas.

The villa has been created to blend with its setting also by season: cosy internal spaces with log fire, dark wood and terracotta open through picture windows to wide, sweeping terraces running the length of the villa and looking out towards the ocean.

As well as the vast terraces, there is also a flat roof across the entire villa, with 360 degree panoramic views. There are two further small service rooms on the roof, for convenient storage of outdoor furniture etc.

The villa has been predisposed for an elevator/lift.

There is consent to build a further 60 m2 building between the entrance gates and the house.

The town of Spigno Saturnia, named for the hawthorn and wild plum that grows wild on its hills, has a stark beauty, dropping sharply down to the lush valley below, and beyond that the beach and the sea. The upper town, where the villa is located, has several good restaurants (as well as the remains of the 11th century castle, which are worth seeing), and of course in the valley below, between the foot of Mt Petrella and the beach, there are any number of restaurants, as well as all services. One of the nearest beaches is the sheltered Sassolino beach, which is a popular setting for filming.