The Eternal Palazzo

Civita di Bagnoregio is already one of Italy’s most dramatic places to visit – but staying here, inside a palazzo whose roots date back to the Etruscan era, is something else entirely. Its iconic 15th-century façade, with a triple-arched window and stone lion sculptures, marks the entrance to the village. Inside, Roman columns – standing for two thousand years – form the backdrop to a serene walled garden overlooking the Valle dei Calanchi, while a rose-filled courtyard and firelit dining room add to the sense of layered, inhabitable history. With five characterful bedrooms and a wellness area adapted from a Roman cistern, this is a rare opportunity to call a historic Italian palace entirely your own.

Home truths:
* Small and medium-sized pets are allowed upon request.
* Civita di Bagnoregio sits on an isolated plateau, connected to the outside world by a single pedestrian bridge. You won't be able to drive into the village, so you'll need to park at the base and walk across. Your host arranges luggage transport in advance, but it's worth keeping the practicalities in mind.
* The palazzo stretches across seven levels, so you'll be navigating a significant number of stairs during your stay. If you have any mobility concerns, this is probably not the home for you.
* Civita di Bagnoregio is one of Italy's most visited hilltop villages, but the crowds thin out significantly after day-trippers leave in the evening. Staying here means you get the village largely to yourself after dark – the quiet alleyways at night are a real highlight.
* A sixth bedroom inside a mini apartment may be available upon request.