Casa Marconi –

The front door of Casa Marconi

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.

the bedroom at Casa Marconi

Both floors are now almost entirely open plan, giving this compact house a very airy feel.

Casa Marconi sleeps 2/​4 with one bedroom. The property has central heating and is fully restored with exposed beams.

Equipment

Bed linen and towels, washing machine, gas hob, fridge-​​freezer, cot, high chair, iron, ironing board, hair-​​drier, vacuum cleaner, toaster and tea/​coffee making equipment.

“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

Location

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 you’ll find it on the village plan on our Maps page. 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.

Casa Marconi’s kitchen and living area

Casa Marconi’s 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

the bathroom at Casa Marconi

• 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 rafters, with double bed and sitting area with futon sofa bed, desk, TV and wardrobe.
• Small balcony (realist­ically, not much more than an oversized windowsill with railing) overlooking the Via Guglielmo Marconi, which is a very quiet little lane.

Local colour

looking down Via G Marconi from the corner of Piazza del Popolo

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 neighbour Antonio watering the plant pots outside the house – he loves to keep this pretty little corner of Capena in bloom.

Prices per week (in euros)

The table shows prices for week-​​long bookings. Discounts may be available for longer stays and the house is also available for shorter visits: see the small print below the table.

To check avail­ability for Casa Marconi, please click here.

The small print

Euro prices are fixed to the end of 2011. Price is based on a one week stay: discounts are available for longer periods.

The house is also available for shorter stays (minimum 3 nights) at the price of €50 if one double bed is used, plus €10 per night for each additional bed in use.

Bed linen, towels and cleaning included in the price. €50 refundable breakages deposit.

The property is normally available by 4pm on your day of arrival; leave by 10am on departure day.

See my holiday home 402403 on HomeAway Holiday-​​Rentals