Baglio Caterina near Comiso

In the sunny south-east of Sicily, we have a very special rustic property here, consisting of four independent residential units, a large warehouse or stable and a plot of land measuring approx. 10,000 square metres.

The property

Baglio Caterina is located in the south-east of Sicily. The history of this property tells that it is an old school from the middle of the 19th century, which was divided over time into these different residential buildings. The plot on which these houses stand is almost at ground level and all but one floor is on the ground floor, making them very suitable for the elderly or disabled. The building material of this property is the classic white stone that is found in the Ragusa area and that we have seen so often on the beautiful walls along the country roads.

The property consists of a large plot of 9000 square metres, mainly planted with olive trees (approx. 80 trees) and fruit trees. In front of the properties there is an artificially lit plot of about 1000 square metres with trees and ornamental plants, an 8 x 4 m unfenced swimming pool, a large garage, a storeroom and a very large building that can be used to store tools or as a greenhouse. The four completely independent living units are divided as follows:

1. spacious living room/kitchen + 2 bedrooms and two bathrooms (one of the two bedrooms has a fairly large loft that can be used as a study or emergency bedroom and is accessible via a comfortable staircase with railings).

The house is divided as follows: the first room contains a large kitchen/living room and also has a bathroom with shower. From this room you can continue to the middle area of this house, where there is currently a desk and a gallery on which you can even stand and where there is currently also a bed. The third room is a large bedroom and there is also a toilet with shower. All rooms have access through a large French window to the patio, which all the other houses also look onto.

2. two bedrooms and 1 bathroom; the second house is located in the corner of the courtyard; you enter this house and there is a bathroom with shower, then in the centre of the house a dining room with a kitchenette and behind it a closed, large bedroom with window

3. living room/kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom. This ground floor unit has central heating. There is an antique wood-burning stove right next to the front door. Not even the owner knew if it still worked. A bathroom with a shower leads off this hallway. We then enter the not very large kitchen-cum-living room, which also has a dining table for four people. The next room is used as a bedroom, but would actually be ideal as a living room, as it is a passageway to get to the large bedroom, where there are four beds at the moment.

In a large part of this house there are beautiful old lava stones on the ground.

4. On the first floor (accessed via an external staircase) a living room/kitchen, two bedrooms, a bathroom.
The fourth unit is accessed via an external staircase made of stone. You enter this flat into a hallway. From this hallway you can enter the most beautiful room of the entire complex, it is a bedroom with a large window facing west, which gives the room a lot of light. In the middle room of this flat is a kind of kitchen-living room, and there is also another bedroom and a toilet with shower. The special feature of this flat on the upper floor is above all the beautiful structure of the roof, where the bamboo canes were deliberately left visible. The typical lava stone floor material is also used here.

All rooms are fully furnished and have radiators, some rooms have air conditioning. The house is equipped with telephone and internet and is immediately habitable.

The olive trees produce very valuable and sought-after oil (about one hundred litres per year). There are walnut trees, plum trees, orange trees, persimmon trees, mulberry trees, fig trees, prickly pear trees, apricot trees, peach trees, medlar trees, jujube trees, lemon trees, pomegranate trees, almond trees.

Behind the first unit there is a shed with three parking spaces and a fenced and covered area with a brick kennel for a possible dog. There is a well with an inexhaustible supply of water and a very large brick cistern. Finally, there is an underground tank with the possibility of storing 1,000 cubic metres of gas, which is needed for the preparation of hot water and heating. The property is equipped with an alarm system connected to the Carabinieri barracks and has 4 surveillance cameras with the possibility of remote monitoring via smartphone. The main gate is electrically operated.

On the opposite side of this courtyard there is a magazzino that could perfectly serve as a storage room for bicycles, motorbikes etc.

Overall, the entire complex is very well maintained and can be occupied immediately.

The surrounding area

Comiso itself is 7km away, from here it is approx. 14km to Ragusa. Shopping facilities are available in Chiaramonte Gulfi, 4km away. The inhabitants of the area work mainly in agriculture (wine and vegetables) and crafts (blacksmithing, carpentry and marble processing).

The neighbouring municipalities are Chiaramonte Gulfi, Ragusa and Vittoria. Comiso has a railway station on the Canicattì-Syracuse line.

In ancient times, Comiso (Greek: Kasmenai) was a Greek colony. The city was founded by Syracusans in 642 BC and was destroyed by the Romans in 212 BC. In 1693, the city was severely damaged by an earthquake. Comiso was rebuilt on the same site.

Possibilities

This property is actually exactly what most of our customers are looking for. A traditional rustico in the countryside with a not too large plot of land and plenty of peace and quiet. Given the location, it is logical that this property is not directly by the sea, but is strategically located in the south-east of Sicily near Comiso airport; it is about 8 km from the town of Comiso, as well as from Ragusa. The nearest town is Chiaramonte Gulfi and is about 4 km away. This is also the distance to the nearest supermarket.

Unless you want to go to Ragusa, the area is relatively flat, making it easy to get around by bike. The sea can be reached in about 30 minutes. As you can see from the photos, the area is rich in vegetation and has a warm, balanced climate all year round. Of course it is hot in summer.

The existing swimming pool is an above-ground pool and could of course be replaced by a nicer version. However, as the ground is rocky at this location, a above-ground pool is recommended, of which there are also very nice versions.

As three of the four flats are at ground level, this complex would also be suitable for older people. Three flats could certainly be rented out here, the potential is definitely there. This property is suitable for year-round living.