Villa Certosa, located on Sardinia’s exclusive Costa Smeralda, would become the most expensive residential property ever sold if the deal goes through.
The property is currently owned by Silvio Berlusconi’s five adult children following his death in 2023 at age 86, according to the SMH.
The extraordinary property features 68 rooms in the main villa and sits on an estate of landscaped terraces with several swimming pools.
Among its most unusual features is an artificial volcano that spews fire and smoke, a fake Roman amphitheatre, and circles of megalithic stones.
Perhaps the most striking element is a James Bond-style sea cave with boat access.
The cave includes a swimming pool decorated with a mosaic of Poseidon and connects to the main villa via illuminated stairs and passageways.
According to Sotheby’s International Realty, which is handling the sale alongside Knight Castle Real Estate, the property also contains “a nuclear-grade underground bunker.”
The villa gained notoriety during Berlusconi’s time as prime minister when it hosted world leaders including Tony and Cherie Blair, George W. Bush, and Vladimir Putin.
One memorable image shows Berlusconi wearing a bandana to conceal a hair transplant while posing with the Blairs.
More controversially, the property became associated with Berlusconi’s infamous “bunga bunga” parties.
These scandals damaged his reputation and contributed to his resignation as prime minister in 2011 during the eurozone crisis.
Previous rumours about potential sales of Villa Certosa have circulated before, with reports a decade ago suggesting interest from the Saudi royal family and more recently from the Sultan of Brunei.
