A compact house with two spacious open-plan rooms
This characterful house was built around 200 years ago (long before Via Guglielmo Marconi acquired its present name), its back nestling against Il Monte, one of the rocky outcrops that characterise this side of town. You can still see and feel the natural curves of the tuff (a type of rock consisting of consolidated volcanic ash) in the rear walls of the cantina on the ground floor and the bathroom upstairs.
Energy utilities were slow to arrive in the old quarter of Capena and for much of the twentieth century the ground floor of Casa Marconi functioned as a shop, selling bottled gas for the villagers to use for home cooking. After mains gas was finally laid on, the shop closed and the premises lay empty until Casa Capena owner Juliet bought the property and commissioned its renovation.
Both floors are now almost entirely open plan, giving this compact house a very airy feel. The property has central heating and is fully restored with exposed beams. High speed wireless internet makes it ideal for those who wish to keep in touch with friends or do a little work while on holiday. The house is proving very popular as a writer’s retreat: it offers all the benefits of a cosy and peaceful bolthole with plenty of friendly local colour when you open the door.
The two-storey house is located on Via Guglielmo Marconi, which is the narrow road leading to Piazza del Popolo and the Rocca in the old quarter of Capena. The road is too small to even be named on Google Maps but the house’s location is marked with a pin on the map below (and on the street map on the Maps page), which you can zoom as close as you like. Incidentally, you can now ‘walk’ around much of Capena using Google Street View, but the best parts of the old quarter remain hidden because they’re off limits to motor vehicles.
“The apartment is so nicely done, and very comfortable. It has so much character. I love that it’s in the ancient part of Capena.”
— Lisa and Steve, Garmisch, Germany
Casa Marconi sleeps 2/4 with one bedroom. The accommodation includes:
Downstairs
- Entrance at ground level; large, open-plan living area with kitchen, table and chairs for four and sofa bed.
- Cantina to the rear of the house containing a washing machine and separated from the main house by a door.
Upstairs
- Bathroom with shower, wc and bidet. Like the cantina on the ground floor, the bathroom is set into the rock that lies behind the house.
- Large bedroom with exposed beams, double bed and sitting area with futon sofa bed, desk, typing chair, flat-screen TV and wardrobe.
- Juliet balcony overlooking the Via Guglielmo Marconi, which is a very quiet little lane.
Equipment
Bed linen and towels, washing machine, gas hob, fridge-freezer, flat-screen TV, high-speed wi-fi, cot, high chair, iron, ironing board, hair-drier, vacuum cleaner and tea/coffee making equipment.
Local colour
If you’re staying at Casa Marconi during one of the festivals you may be asked to add to the street decorations by placing a torch or coloured flag on the balcony and will be in an ideal position to watch the delightfully off-key band marching in and out of the square. And at any time of year don’t be surprised to see our cleaner Debora watering the plant pots outside the house. She loves to help keep this pretty little corner of Capena in bloom.
Prices
Prices are presently the same for peak and off-peak periods – although many peak slots have already been booked well in advance. Discounts may be available for longer stays.
| Length of stay (year-round) based on occupancy by two people* | Price in EUR (inclusive of all bills, including heating) |
|---|---|
| Nightly (3-night minimum) | €60 |
| Weekly | €425 |
| Monthly | €775 |
Please email info@casacapena.com to check Casa Marconi’s availability.