Qatar’s royal family spends $375 million on real estate in Italy bigger than Vatican City, including remotely controlled erupting volcano, five swimming pools and a secret cave to hide from drones
One of Europe’s most famous private estates has entered a new chapter after being acquired by one of Qatar’s richest royal figures. Billionaire former Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Thani has completed the purchase of Villa Certosa, the legendary Sardinian estate once owned by former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.Sheikh Hamad, better known by his initials HBJ, is one of the richest members of the Qatari royal family. Forbes estimates his personal wealth is close to $5 billion. The acquisition adds to his already extensive collection of luxury properties one of the most unique and unusual properties in the Mediterranean.The 66-year-old billionaire paid about 350 million euros ($395 million) for Villa Certosa, according to Italian financial newspaper Il Sole 24 Ore. The deal follows a significant price cut, as the property was originally put on the market for 500 million euros ($571 million).
A $395 million estate that cost millions to maintain
Although Sheikh Hamad purchased the property for less than the original asking price, Villa Certosa remains extremely expensive to run. The massive estate requires approximately €8 million per year for maintenance and staffing.Operating costs include huge energy bills, which are reported to be around €1.3 million per year alone. The property also comes with a €94 million mortgage and will require its own private desalination plant to supply water to the vast acreage.
Villa Certosa is located on Sardinia’s famous Emerald Coast, covering an area of approximately 120 hectares, making it larger than the Vatican City. The estate is approximately the size of 83 standard football pitches.The main residence covers an area of about 4,500 square meters and has 126 rooms. Designed by Italian architect Gianni Gamondi, the hotel includes several additional buildings, guest areas and a greenhouse for the care of rare plants.
Mansion with pools, caves and artificial volcano
During Berlusconi’s ownership, Villa Certosa became one of the most talked-about private estates in the world. Over the years, the former Italian prime minister added various lavish and unusual features to the property.The estate includes a full-size football field, several tennis courts, bocce courts, a private golf course, a helipad, a spa and a Greek-style entertainment amphitheater.The water facilities are equally impressive. Instead of a traditional swimming pool, Villa Certosa has seven separate swimming pools, including a special thalassotherapy area consisting of five connected seawater pools.
The site also contains artificial lakes called Palm Lake and Bio Lake. These areas feature small artificial islands, resident swans, and even a floating tiki bar where guests can enjoy drinks on the water.Some of the estate’s most unusual additions were created for privacy and security. During Berlusconi’s ownership, a bunker was built on the property, including an anti-nuclear shelter and a hidden grotto carved into the seaside hillside.The secret cave allows guests to reach it by boat through underground tunnels, helping them avoid the attention of photographers and security cameras.The estate also includes an artificial volcano. Mechanical systems allow the feature to create simulated eruptions, complete with special effects designed to make the experience appear realistic.
120 hectares of private botanical gardens
In addition to its architecture and luxurious facilities, Villa Certosa also features a large botanical garden.The estate has thousands of rare plants and well-designed gardens. It includes a cactus amphitheater with approximately 2,100 succulents in 500 varieties.The hotel also has a collection of approximately 1,200 palm trees and a hibiscus museum with 5,000 plants of 850 species.Other parts of the grounds include a citrus grove with approximately 800 trees of 160 varieties, and the Gethsemane Garden with approximately 150 ancient olive trees.Maintaining such a large landscape requires a permanent team of staff who look after the gardens, buildings, guest areas and seven individual villas spread throughout the estate.
From Berlusconi’s private villa to luxury resort
Sheikh Hamad does not intend to keep Villa Certosa as a private residence. His company, Constellation Hotels, already owns luxury hotels and historic properties across Europe, with plans now to transform them into high-end resorts.The move would finally allow visitors to experience the property’s architecture, gardens and unusual features without spending hundreds of millions of dollars to buy it.The purchase also represents a personal link with Sheikh Hamad, who has been visiting the Sardinian coast for more than two decades. His 436-foot superyacht Al Mirqab, worth about $300 million, is often seen in the waters near Porto Cervo during the summer.HBJ is a former director of the Qatar Investment Authority and has a reputation for investing in some of the most valuable properties and assets in the world.
