Character Properties for sale Show info

Unique living: Timeless elegance and historic charm

European castles and venerable houses for sale

The somewhat different real estate search: Experience an incomparable range of historic homes on the one and only portal for European character properties. Connect with the history and atmosphere of your future home and learn more about the different expressions and varieties of this fascinating type of real estate.

The term originated in the United Kingdom and is occasionally used for historic properties for sale. There, they are mostly rural properties in which particularly individual qualities such as history, cultural value, but also personality and emotion play a foreground role. This sets them apart from ordinary and often purely functional residential properties and gives them their uniqueness. Character properties emphasizes the special appeal of such properties and addresses prospective buyers who are looking for historic or architecturally interesting houses for sale.

Absolutely. While real estate jargon lacks standard definitions for many terms, character properties generally do not refer to properties that are recent. New buildings are exceptions if parts of them have a historical connection, for example by integrating historical structures. Otherwise, they are historic buildings that were constructed before 1945 and often predate the Modernist era, with the exception of Art Nouveau and Art Deco.

Character properties can undoubtedly also have luxurious features and be classified as luxury properties. This is especially true for large, fully restored castles or historic villas in prime locations, which are often marketed as luxury or prestige properties.

The main difference lies in a special value in terms of history, authenticity and emotional significance. In contrast, luxury real estate focuses on contemporary luxury and comfort. This may also involve modern apartments or new buildings.

Character properties may be in need of renovation or restoration, and they often become what they are today through the passion and dedication of their owners over many years. Preserving their historic charm combined with modern luxury can present an additional challenge when these are landmark buildings that may be subject to certain regulations and restrictions.

Tip:
Historical real estate with luxury features can be easily found using the "Classification" filter.

Primarily, these are residential properties which, due to their characteristics, are often also used for tourist or commercial purposes. Even ruins can be described as character properties, especially if they represent cultural monuments or have a special historical value. As with other real estate, prices for these properties vary depending on a number of factors such as demand, location and condition.

Tip:
Refine your search using the "Condition" filter: From ruin to fully refurbished properties.

Castles and manor houses are certainly the best known examples of character properties. For those who do not see themselves as lords or ladies of castles and would rather live in harmony with contemporary lifestyle in smaller dimensions, there is a diverse selection of other properties, including exotic properties such as historic towers or converted church buildings. Find the overview below of the most common categories. More detailed information on each property type is available on the corresponding listing results pages.

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Listings: Living in a castle

Character estate search results

Historic property for sale 05100 Collescipoli, Umbria,  Italy
New
House for sale in Collescipoli
Historic property for sale 05100 Collescipoli, Umbria, Italy
House for sale in Collescipoli: . This property is actually a sky-earth building adorned with a terrace with a 360-degree view. Fascinating location, the historic Collescipoli, consisting of 5 levels. The property is located between the two main streets of the town, a stone’s throw from the collegiate church of S. Maria, where the Hermans organ is locat...

ItalyHomeLuxury
Manor House for sale 17098 Heinrichswalde, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania,  Germany
New
Renovated manor in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, 2 hectares
Manor House for sale 17098 Heinrichswalde, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania, Germany
A small village road leads you to this approximately 19,867 m² property, resembling a park-like terrain. Here, amidst fields and meadows, sits the listed manor house, built around 1830. Over the past two decades, the current owners have extensively renovated the manor house with great care and technical precision. The exterior masonry on the ground floo...

Engfer & Partner Immobilien
Manor House for sale Drawno, West Pomeranian Voivodeship,  Poland
Manor near Szczecin, Pomeranian Lakes
Manor House for sale Drawno, West Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland
Advance notice:: Prepared for sale is an ensemble consisting of a total of 5 plots with a total area of 7.5256 hectares, located in the Pomeranian Lake District and the Drawsko National Park, approximately 90 km east of Szczecin. The standalone historic manor house, adorned with neoclassical and neobaroque decorations, is a plastered brick building with...

Nieruchomości Zabytkowe
Castle for sale Loudun, New Aquitaine,  France
Château in New Aquitaine, first-class architecture, 26 hectares
Castle for sale Loudun, New Aquitaine, France
A restoration-worthy chateau from the early 17th century, boasting high-quality architecture with an imposing central staircase and magnificent historic details. Located near Loudun, in the Vienne department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine, the property spans 26 hectares of unrestricted land. At the edge of a village, majestic entrance pillars greet you. At the e...

Denniel Immobilier
Castle for sale Gorzanów, Lower Silesian Voivodeship,  Poland
Exceptional castle in Lower Silesia with significant historical value
Castle for sale Gorzanów, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland
Gorzanów Castle (Polish: Zamek w Gorzanowie, German: Schloss Grafenort) is a remarkable Renaissance landmark in Silesia, possessing significant artistic and historical merit. Registered under number A/5216/209, the property is situated in the southern region of Lower Silesian Voivodeship, approximately 100 km from Wrocław, 15 km from Kłodzko, and 30 km ...

Private seller
Historical tower for sale 06059 Vasciano, Umbria,  Italy
Unique character home near Todi: Tower with panoramic views
Historical tower for sale 06059 Vasciano, Umbria, Italy
Unusually, this restored drying tower was entirely built in stone. It is situated in the Niccone Valley, offering south-facing views over the Reschio Estate, encompassing a classical Italian landscape with all the characteristics you would expect from one of Umbria's most popular and respected valleys. Accessible via a 1.1km white road in good condition...

IPN Castello
Manor House for sale Zákányfalu, Somogy,  Hungary
Manor in Hungary looking for its saviour
Manor House for sale Zákányfalu, Somogy, Hungary
We are looking for a long-term investor for the utilization of a manor in the village of Zákányfalu, in the Southern Danube region of Hungary. The floor area of the ground floor and first floor adds up to 1,020 m². The property is fully owned by the municipality, and it is built on a park-like, partially fenced plot of near 6 hectares (on four parcel nu...

Private seller
Historic Villa for sale 28838 Stresa, Piemont,  Italy
Part of a historic villa with pool and lake view in Stresa Binda
Historic Villa for sale 28838 Stresa, Piemont, Italy
The 20th-century villa was renovated in 2016 and still exudes historical character. With a total area of 350 square meters spread over three floors, there is ample space available, and a stunning panoramic view of Lake Maggiore and the Borromean Islands is also included.The architecture reflects the typical style of smaller historic villas in Northern I...

Stresa Luxury Real Estate
Castle for sale West Pomeranian Voivodeship,  Poland
Luxury palace with private beach close to Berlin
Castle for sale West Pomeranian Voivodeship, Poland
Luxury palace with private beach in fantastique location!: Restored palace with a private beach and breathtaking views of the Szczecin Lagoon in the West Pomeranian Voivodeship. This unique property is surrounded by extensive forests and is located in a wonderfully secluded area, far from residential areas. The palace and its outbuildings are only 2.5 h...

Vilea Sp. z o.o.
Country House for sale Lower Silesian Voivodeship,  Poland
Character country house in the Jizera Mountains, Lower Silesia
Country House for sale Lower Silesian Voivodeship, Poland
Country house with character located in the municipality of Lubomierz in Lower Silesia, currently operating as a boutique hotel. The partially renovated and historically protected building from 1850 retains its original historical substance. It has a usable area of 460 m² and a total area of 720 m². Built in plastered brick, it is situated on a 3455 m² ...

Private seller
Manor House for sale Manduria, Apulia,  Italy
Fixer upper 52-hectare country estate in Manduria, Apulia
Manor House for sale Manduria, Apulia, Italy
Characteristic Apulian property in a secluded location in the heart of the Mediterranean. This ensemble of buildings, dating from the 16th to the 18th century, is known as a Masseria, which refers to large manorial country estates in Apulia. They were widespread and represent the cultural heritage of the Mediterranean region. Although the buildings have...

Oikos Immobiliare
Manor House for sale Viana do Castelo, Valença, Cristelo Covo e Arão, Arão,  Portugal
Beautiful Colonial Style House in Valença
Manor House for sale Viana do Castelo, Valença, Cristelo Covo e Arão, Arão, Portugal
This gem in the rough can be found in the parish of Arão, close to the center of Valença, right along the Portuguese Camino de Santiago! Dating back to the 20th century, this beautiful villa, typical of its era, was once a prominent home and is set on huge grounds of nearly 5000m² (buildable land), which include several outbuildings and a sought-after s...

Galicia & Green Spain Property
Manor House for sale Pantón de Abaixo, Galicia,  Spain
Impressive Manour House "Pazo" in the Heart of the Ribeira Sacra in the village of Ferreira de Pantón
Manor House for sale Pantón de Abaixo, Galicia, Spain
This impressive Manor House is located in the heart of the Ribeira Sacra in Galica. Formerly known as "Pazo del Bosque", it is now called "Pazo de Ferreiroá" and is situated in the parish of San Julián de Eire, just 2 km from the centre of Pantón in the province of Lugo. The current building dates back to the early 18th century: , with the earliest doc...

Galicia & Green Spain Property
Historic Villa for sale 22019 Tremezzo, Lombardy,  Italy
Charming Villa with Swimming Pool and Privacy
Historic Villa for sale 22019 Tremezzo, Lombardy, Italy
Villa Carlottina was built approximately 200 years ago and was part of the Brentano family estate, a family of merchants and one of the most influential families on Lake Como in the 18th century. The property was fully updated in 1997, retaining many charming features such as floors, fireplace, doors, and windows. Set back 150m from the lake amidst lush...

PROPERTY AT LAKE COMO
Manor House for sale Dawidy, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship,  Poland
Baroque manor of the von Dohna family in Dawidy
Manor House for sale Dawidy, Warmian-Masurian Voivodeship, Poland
The village of Dawidy with the Dwór Dawidy manor house (formerly "Schloss Davids") is part of historic East Prussia. It is located in Warmia, which forms the western part of today's Warmia-Masuria Voivodeship and directly adjoins the voivodeship border with Pomerania. Currently, the manor is a popular boutique hotel with very good occupancy rates and a ...

Vilea Sp. z o.o.
Country House for sale Villaviciosa, Asturias,  Spain
Pretty 19th century Asturian country house with sea views and orchard
Country House for sale Villaviciosa, Asturias, Spain
This is a traditional South-facing home built in stone and timber with wonderful well-maintained gardens located in a very tranquil area with a direct 15 min walk to the beach and 5 min away by car. The beach is serviced with a trendy beach club and a campsite, both open from June to October. The sea can be viewed from the North side of the property. Th...

Galicia & Green Spain Property
Manor House for sale Broniszów, Lubusz Voivodeship,  Poland
Beautiful historic rectory with stable building
Manor House for sale Broniszów, Lubusz Voivodeship, Poland
Beautiful historic rectory from 1605 located in the Lubusz Voivodeship in the Polish-German border region. It is a two-story brick building with a rectangular layout and a hipped roof. The house was renovated in the 18th century, with some of the rooms preserving their cross and barrel vaults. The area of ​​the rectory building is 474 m² (two basements,...

Nieruchomości Zabytkowe
Castle for sale Meina, Piemont,  Italy
Neo-Romanesque castle in Lesa on Lake Maggiore
Castle for sale Meina, Piemont, Italy
Historic property for sale on the popular Lago Maggiore in northern Italy. The town of Lesa is just a few minutes away from Stresa and the Borromean Islands. This three-story castle in Neo-Romanesque style was built in the late 18th century, an era often considered a golden age in Northern Italy. During this time, the region experienced economic and cul...

Città Ideale
Historic Villa for sale Brno, Jihomoravský kraj,  Czech Republic
Modernist villa with park in the neighborhood of Villa Tugendhat in Brno
Historic Villa for sale Brno, Jihomoravský kraj, Czech Republic
The functionalist villa from the 1940s is located at one of the most prestigious addresses in the Czech Republic, in the Černá pole residential district in Brno, South Moravia. Situated just minutes away from the city center, it directly borders the famous Villa Tugendhat, a masterpiece by architect L. Mies van der Rohe from 1929-1930, which has been a ...

Castelan Real s.r.o.
Country House for sale Palaia, Tuscany,  Italy
Enchanting 18th century country house in Palaia near Pisa
Country House for sale Palaia, Tuscany, Italy
Discover a private, secluded yet centrally located Tuscan country house, surrounded by 300 olive trees along the famous Strada del Vino delle Colline Pisane. Once the community's bread bakery dating back to 1789, this property has been lovingly restored and transformed into a characterful residence. The result is a spacious two-story house in authentic ...

Kaste Immobilien
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