Barga, this tiny mediaeval city perched up on the side of a mountain in Tuscany has for many years also been right at the forefront of the digital revolution. Regular members of this site will of course remember that the very first online news site in Tuscany started life right here in the city -- the original barganews.com site.
A quick dip into Wikipedia will also jog people’s memories when it comes to those small black-and-white images- QR codes, which are now popping up all over the world.
The first mediaeval city in Italy that had all its statues, piazzas, palaces, museums and places of interest mapped out with a cell phone or tablet accessible QRcode, was of course Barga.
iBarga was online and operational back in 2008 ( site here)
This week comes news concerning Barga which once again has at its centre that strange fascination between very old traditions and history and things happening right now at the very vanguard of new technology.
One of the oldest villas in the city with a rich story going back through the centuries will this week be offered to the highest bidder in what is the very first global online auction of a building of this size and character in Italy.
The villa was built by the noble Bertacchi family in the mid-1700s, and incorporates a much older villa into its grand design. The three story tower that anchors the villa was built over the ruins of the medieval fortification tower for Barga, while the walls on the south side are part of the ramparts which historically surrounded the city.
The real estate auctioneers Williams & Williams will sell without reserve the elegant Tuscan estate, Villa Sognare, at 11 a.m. EDT, Wednesday, June 20 in a live, global auction. Interested buyers can bid on-site or in real time from anywhere at auctionnetwork.com.
And yes you did read that last line correctly -- they will sell at the Villa online at the live global auction without reserve.
no images were found
In the interview which follows ( in English) we talked at length with the present owners Gary and Ed about what it was that brought them to Barga in the first place, about the condition of the Villa when they first bought it, the huge amount of work they have done on the place over the last eight years, the reasons why now for them it is the time to leave and just what it means to put their home on the first live global online auction in Italy without a reserve price.
no images were found
This luxurious estate is fully-furnished and features 10,000+/- square feet of living space, including nine bedrooms, seven baths, two kitchens, two dining rooms, four sitting rooms, one tower room and a Turkish sauna.
Named one of the 50 most beautiful villages of Italy, the medieval town of Barga sits along the Serchio River and dates back to the year 1000. Nestled in the beautiful mountainous northwest corner of Tuscany, with its cobbled lanes and quaint village, Barga remains largely untouched by mass tourism. The historical town has retained its medieval foundations, narrow streets, tiny square and steep stairwells while the 12th century cathedral overlooking the town boasts impressive scenic views.
The Villa Sognare estate sits at one of the highest points of the town, providing privacy as well as a magnificent panorama of the region. The breathtaking grounds feature an outdoor fireplace, bar and shower along with sun beds and fountains. Private gardens, lined with stone pathways, provide a park like setting with terraces overlooking many of the town’s festivities, but also offering complete privacy and solitude. Ancient trees shade the property and serve as landmarks for the town itself. The property is just minutes away from restaurants, shops, galleries and cafes.
Williams & Williams, the premier brand in real estate auctions, will sell without reserve the elegant Tuscan estate, Villa Sognare, located in the storied village of Barga, Italy at 11 a.m. EDT, Wednesday, June 20 in a live, global auction. Interested buyers can bid on-site or in real time from anywhere at auctionnetwork.com.
Rich in history, the villa was built by the noble Bertacchi family in the mid-1700s, and incorporates a much older villa into its grand design. The three story tower that anchors the villa was built over the ruins of the medieval fortification tower for the village of Barga, while the walls on the south side are part of the ramparts which historically surrounded the city. The owners have meticulously renovated the villa over the last eight years, restoring this beautiful palazzo while adding modern amenities.
“Villa Sognare currently serves as a bed-and-breakfast and event venue for corporate meetings and weddings,” said DC Roberts, Senior Director of Distinctive & International Sales at Williams & Williams. “It can easily provide a wonderful retreat for families or individuals seeking privacy or a second home in the heart of Tuscany.”
The town of Barga has long attracted painters, poets and writers and still does today. It is known for its opera and jazz festivals and like much of the Tuscan region, offers outdoor activities including horseback riding, mountain biking, canoeing, and skiing. Celebrities gravitate to Barga because of its idyllic beauty and private escape, unlike the metropolitan areas of Rome or Pisa. Susan Sarandon recently traced her family’s roots to Barga on the show “Who Do You Think You Are,” which uncovers celebrity genealogies.
For more details about Williams & Williams’ auction of Villa Sognare, visit http://williamsauction.com/tuscany .
About Williams & Williams: Williams & Williams(R) is a worldwide real estate auction leader. The only auction company to combine the proven effectiveness of live, at-the-property auctions with the global reach and convenience of real time, interactive bidding, Williams & Williams’ auction teams sell real estate throughout the United States and abroad. We have a proven performance record for all types of real estate sales including residential, commercial, farms and ranches, and distinctive properties. -- source