Villa de Rosalia

Unique among houses in the centre of Stari Grad, Villa de Rosalia offers a remarkably large pool and spacious private garden – such an oasis of space and tranquillity, just steps from the town, is a rare find indeed.

INSIDE

Accommodation at Villa de Rosalia is laid out over two floors.

The ground floor entrance leads into a bright, welcoming open-plan communal space. On the right side is a generous living area with a custom-made sofa set, while to the left is a dining table. White walls, exposed wooden ceiling beams, and a pleasing simplicity typify this most summery of spaces.

A door behind the living area opens into the twin bedroom on the ground floor. The second bedroom on the ground floor is a double with a custom-upholstered queen bed, an ensuite bathroom, and is accessed via another set of French doors from the lower terrace. The ground floor is completed by a full common bathroom with a walk-in shower.

Both internal and outdoor staircases lead up to the first floor, which is home to the kitchen, another living room, and two more bedrooms.

Bohemian-style finishes and white hardwood floors add character to the airy upper living room, with a glass door bringing in the light, views, and access to the upper terrace. This space flows into a simple but well-equipped kitchen, which opens out onto the wonderfully panoramic, shaded al fresco dining terrace served by a gas barbecue.

Accommodation at Villa de Rosalia is completed by the two bedrooms accessed via the first floor landing. The master is a generously-proportioned double with a custom-made king bed and walnut accents contrasting with the neutral tones; while the second bedroom is a double with a queen bed. Both bedrooms have ample wardrobe space for clothing, and share the spacious first floor bathroom, which features a free-standing tub and step-in shower.

OUTSIDE

Villa de Rosalia’s al fresco areas have been designed to make the most of the property’s position at a slight elevation in the centre of Stari Grad, the island’s most historic town.

On the ground floor and first floor at the front of the house are a pair of shaded terraces, each one offering a different set of delights. The upper terrace, accessed from the exterior staircase and through the kitchen, hosts a secluded and well-shaded al fresco dining area with views out over the extremely picturesque town waterfront. This terrace is served by a gas barbecue and features a lava stone dining table from Naples, which comfortably sits up to 8 people.

The lower terrace is furnished with a cushioned sofa and easy chairs, and gazes out from under the shaded roof, between thick greenery, out to the pool, the waters of the Adriatic, and the town beyond.

Where the shaded terraces end, the sun-soaked terrace begins. Wrapping around the pool is a large expanse of stone tile paving, bordered by a wide and vibrant variety of mature, perfumed Mediterranean flora, including cypress trees, olive trees, bougainvillea, and jasmine. The L-shaped pool itself is flanked by six cushioned loungers with umbrellas. To one side of the pool is a third al fresco seating area, an umbrella-shaded spot furnished with easy chairs and a coffee table.

The icing on the cake is that the town of Stari Grad (on the doorstep of your own private oasis) offers a series of excellent waterfront fish restaurants, steakhouses tucked away in the cobbled streets, sunset cocktail bars, and a string of beaches on both sides of the town.

The villa has a private gated driveway with space for two cars.