Swiss Villa With Italian Flair, Estate of the Day

This 10,500 square foot villa sits high above the Swiss city of Lugano in Ticino. The home sits at the end of a cul-de-sac in the famous 1,000-year-old artist colony known as Carona, on Mount San Salvatore. It is bordered on one side entirely by forest; the other three sides have panoramic views of the mountains. It is east-facing with lots of sun, private and so quiet you could probably hear a yodeler if the Swiss ever did that anymore.

Price tag: About $9 million U.S.

The luxury Mediterranean style villa was built in 1992 and recently underwent a renovation and enlargement, adding an indoor pool and sports facilities including a squash court, golf simulator and sauna. It has a first-class home gym and private spa. The five-bedroom home has a thermal heat pumping system, solar panels, and a three-car garage. The master suite is located on the ground floor and the home has an elevator. The large living room is on the garden level, and has a fire place. There is an eat-in kitchen with a fireplace. There is a detached guest unit. The pool has a retractable roof.

But perhaps the most magical part of this property is where it is located -- the so-called Italian Switzerland. In ancient times, the area was settled by a Celtic tribe and later became part of the Roman Empire. Located in the south of Switzerland, it is surrounded almost entirely by Italy.

Carona has been around since the Middle Ages. The village's possessions include the still-existing church of Santa Maria in Torello. Because of the village's loyalty to the Viscounti and Guelph families, it was given its own coat of arms and under Swiss Confederation law, had special status that exempted it from certain law and taxes. Carona's artists included the Aprile, Casella, Scala and S! olari fa milies, who remained active throughout Europe during the 15th through 18th centuries.
The village was a sleepy agricultural and sheep community until Lugano -- a 10-minute drive away -- developed into a tourist destination in the beginning of the 19th century. The village today has a population of just 775, 20% of whom are foreign nationals.

Peter Rabitz, director of Wetag International, has the listing.

Gallery: Swiss Villa