Luxury Real Estate

By Kitty J. Laios of Kitty J. Laios Real Estate

The year is 1888. 12 years later, distinguished Athens architect Ioannis Moussis will take home an award from the Paris International Exhibition of 1900 in the Architecture class. But first, the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris graduate would build a beautiful 1000 sqm mansion in Kifissia.

The somewhat exuberant exoticism of Kifissia’s 19th century villas was remarked upon by Osbert Sitwell in the ‘30s as being “quite unique”. Indeed, Moussis modeled this particular villa after the fashion of the times—it was built in the “romantic medievalist” style, complete with its own turret. Originally built of massive stone blocks with carved stone detailing, the most recent renovation dates to 2010.

The details are not dedicated to the exterior of the historic mansion. The most remarkable artistic feature of the villa is the monumental carved marble mantelpiece in the main reception area. It was created by Ioannis Vitsaris (1844 – 1892), one of the most famous Greek sculptors of the late 19th century. As an unparalleled example of Hellenic sculptural art, the mantelpiece was transported to the Paris Exhibition of 1900 at the expense of the Greek State and exhibited at the Grand Palais where it was awarded a Gold Medal.

Throughout the course of its existence the villa has been linked to important historic personalities and events in Modern Greek history, all contributing to the modern day significance and appeal of the beautiful, historic home.

€9,900,000 EUR

Courtesy of: Marquette Turner Luxury Homes

Here’s a selection of six stunning locations, all in Europe, where cities and towns are perched precariously, delicately, but neatly on the edge of rock and cliff faces. Taking advantage of volcanic eruptions of millenium’s past, or gorges from wild flowing rivers, many of these locations were initially established for their natural fort-like characteristics.  Today, many of them are tourist Mecca’s.

In the process of researching and writing this article, the number of analogies for “living on the edge” that came into my head was wide.

In the end, however, I thought it best to let the images speak for themselves.

Certainly not for the faint hearted.

The locations featured are:

- Cuenca, Spain: Cuenca is a city in the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha in central Spain, and is one of the country’s largest provinces. It is located across a steep spur, whose slopes descend into deep gorges of the Júcar and Huécar rivers.

- Bonifacio, France: It is located just west of Cap Pertusato, the southernmost point of the island of Corsica. Bonifacio is perched on a narrow limestone peninsula about 1.6km long that parallels the coast and forms a natural harbour. It was for this reason that it was initially founded as a defence against pirates in the 1st Century.

- Castellfollit de la Roca, Spain: Located in Catalonia, the town is situated on a basalt crag, formed by the overlaying of two lava flows, and is over 50 metres high and almost a kilometre long.

- Ronda, Spain: With a population of just over 35,000, Ronda is located in the Spanish province of Malaga. In a very mountainous area, the city was initially settled by the Romans as a fort.

- Manarola, Italy: A very small town, Manarola is located in the province of La Spezia, Liguria, northern Italy and can trace its origins back to the 14th Century.

- Santorini, Greece: Often described as one of the most stunning places on earth, Santorini is a small, circular archipelago of volcanic islands located in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km southeast from the Greek mainland and is the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history. The earliest human settlement known is the 4th millennium BC.

By: Kitty Laios of Kitty J. Laios Real Estate

Hydra is one of the most unspoilt and romantic islands in the Mediterannean. It lies 33 miles south of Athens and four miles off the coast. The town of Hydra is protected by the European Council as a European monument, and no cars are allowed on the island. Due to the strict building code, the island has retained its character and elegance, and is a haven for artists, from Greece and abroad.

This stunning house is more than 200 years old and is restored to perfection. It consists of several houses joined masterfully together, with a private, domed road running through. It lies in Kiaffa, the old city of Hydra and is situated at the top of the natural amphitheatre of the bay of Hydra, offering spectacular views in all directions. It is a beautiful, very spacious house on several levels, decorated in the best of taste, full of important artwork and antiques. Most of the rooms have wooden ceilings, stone floors and most of the bathrooms offer beautiful sea views.

The house has six bedroom suites with private bathrooms, a further bedroom with bathroom, a large living room adjoined by a veranda with views to the harbor of Hydra, a study, two drawing rooms, several courtyards and a garden, open air dining room under a pergola, a swimming pool, sauna and Jacuzzi, private cinema, water purification and pressurization system.

There is multichannel satellite television in all bedrooms and in other spaces. The house has one fully equipped kitchen and cellar for gourmet cooking as well as a kitchenette/bar, to accommodate the pool area.

The distance from the house to the harbor of Hydra is 5 minutes by foot.

By Kitty J. Laios of Kitty J. Laios Real Estate

A fantastic landscape of 5 acres embraces this magnificent Villa in Mykonos, facing the Aegean Sea (only 300m. walk distance from Lemonitra Beach).

The villa is built according to feng shui and fills its guests with a unique feeling of well being and relaxation.

You can reach the cosmopolitan town or the famous beaches of Mykonos in 5-15 minutes by car.

The harmonious composition of stone, old marble and wood create the unique atmosphere of the outdoor area.

The old marble pillar, together with the other marble antiques, dominate the pool area.

The villa consists of four luxury suites built in Cycladic style, each one with its own identity.

Old pieces from the owner's collection and unique works of art add style and character to the Villa.

By Kitty J. Laios of Kitty J. Laios Real Estate

Situated on the shores of Evrotas river and under the watchful eye of Taygetos mountain, Sparta is spread across the valley of the mythical river. One of the most well known ancient Greek towns, modern Sparta is a hospitable place, ready to welcome visitors throughout the year, since the sights and countryside around Sparta, as well as all over the prefecture of Lakonia, are so varied and breathtakingly beautiful, that they attract the interest of tourists all year round.

100kms from Sparta, in the heart of the Myrtoan Sea, and in one of the most unspoiled and beautiful areas of Greece, you come across the picturesque village of Kyparissi, which is in the foothills of Mount Parnonas, and still right on the seaside. Kyparissi has 3 outstanding white pebble beaches, with crystal clear waters, and lush green vegetation.

It is in this area, that this truly outstanding 34000m2 plot of land is for sale, with its own sandy beach and 130m sea façade, offering an absolutely breathtaking vista.

By Kitty J. Laios of Kitty J. Laios Real Estate

The Villa is built on the hillside overlooking Super Paradise Beach, just 5 minutes from the airport. The views are across the beach and the adjacent river gorge. Great care has been taken in positioning the villa on the site, in order to enhance the dramatic views. Emphasis has been placed on privacy, concealed access and security.

All the bedrooms have large modern en suite bathrooms. The outside living areas have been carefully designed for living and entertaining in the long hot summer days and cool evenings.

The Villa has been constructed to high specifications using the most modern materials and equipment. VRV air-conditioning and under floor heating is a standard feature. The walls and ceilings are double insulated to ensure cool in summer and warmth in winter.

The large timber windows and doors are double glazed with tropical style shutters. The internal doors are manufactured from solid laminated marine ply with rubber gaskets to ensure excellent sound insulation between rooms.

The finest state of the art sanitary ware and accessories have been used in the spacious bathrooms. The toilets are wall hung with concealed cisterns.

All brassware is by Gessi. Unusual cast aluminum basins and accessories have been custom designed by Ironwood Creations.

The Italian kitchens with their ergonomic design are stylish and modern Flooring surfaces range from timber in the bedrooms, porcelain in the bathrooms and antiquated stone in the living areas.

By Kitty J. Laios of Kitty J. Laios Real Estate

LEGRAINA, Built on a green hill right on the sea and with direct access to two beaches, this stunning 500m2 villa offers the best of modern architecture coupled with a unique view of the Ancient Temple of Poseidon at Sounio and the Aegean Sea.

The villa is set in a 6000m2 plot full of Mediterranean plants, such as vines and olive trees, wonderful external areas, all with beautiful sea views, covered terraces, a swimming pool, bbq, a basketball court (which could be converted into a helipad) and ample parking space. Close to Athens and the airport and yet with the feeling of a luxury seaside resort, this is an ideal home for year round.

The ground floor has two reception areas with fireplaces, a dining room, kitchen, boudoir with wc, 1 master bedroom with dressing room and mezzanine level, a guest room with private bathroom, 565m2 of terraces, a swimming pool with bbq and external bar.

On the lower ground level there are 4 master bedrooms (two with dressing rooms), a spacious living area, kitchen and bar, and terraces. This level also houses a professional kitchen/food preparation area, a laundry room, staff quarters (3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms), as well as a separate dining area with its own kitchen and wc.

There is a wonderful guest house on the property with a living room, kitchen and bedroom with bathroom.

John Brian Losh, the president and CEO of LuxuryRealEstate.com, greets members from World Properties & Investment’s headquarters in Athens, Greece. Enjoy the surprise ending!