When someone has enough economic power so that their “private jet” can be used to approve a local airport as an international airport, the least that is expected is that they stay in the best mansions in the places they visit. However, when this is the emir of Qatar, what is expected is not only that you stay in them, but that you buy them.
Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the current emir of Qatar, sounds like the main interested party in Villa Certosa, one of the most famous and extravagant mansions in Sardinia, which has been owned by Silvio Berlusconi since the 1970s and is now held by his heirs.
A Garden with a Private Volcano
Villa Certosa is situated in Porto Rotondo, on the northeastern tip of Sardinia, overlooking the Gulf of Marinella. It’s huge, covering 120 hectares of land and featuring 4,500 square meters of luxurious space, distributed across 126 rooms.
The most striking curiosity about this mansion is not its hundreds of rooms or its enormous 50-hectare garden adorned with ancient olive trees. The “star whim” here is an artificial volcano designed to spit fire and smoke, transforming the landscape into a spectacle. The architect certainly got carried away with this science project.
The Inception of the Volcano
The artificial volcano is part of a theme park vision that Berlusconi had for his villa. In 2006, the Italian tycoon ordered the construction of an artificial hill approximately 10 meters tall in the middle of his estate. This sparked controversy and led to investigations into the area’s landscaping regulations. What lay hidden beneath this hill proved much more explosive.
Unexpected Commotion
According to Europa Press, on the night of August 15, 2006, Berlusconi activated the volcano as the highlight of one of his lavish parties. The cacophony was so intense that neighbors called the firefighters, Civil Protection, and the Forestry Corps after witnessing actual lava explosions and flames erupting from the faux volcano.
More than Just a Volcano
Beyond the artificial volcano, the estate boasts other striking features, including a (false) Roman amphitheater by the sea with a capacity for 300 people, a sea cave with a pool adorned with Poseidon mosaics, and a nuclear-grade underground bunker—an intriguing combination for any billionaire.
Berlusconi acquired the property when it was still called Villa Monastero in the early 1970s and transformed it with the help of architect Gianni Gamondi. Over the years, Villa Certosa evolved into a hotspot for political and media visits, hosting high-profile figures such as George W. Bush, Vladimir Putin, Tony Blair, and prominent Spanish politicians during Berlusconi’s political tenure.
The Emir’s Interest
Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the emir of Qatar, is the visible head of one of the world’s richest and most powerful families. It is estimated that the Al Thani dynasty manages a joint fortune exceeding $335 billion, making the purchase of a $500 million mansion quite feasible for the emir.
The emir is a regular along these coasts, often sailing on his superyacht, the Al Lusail, a staggering 123 meters long and also valued at $500 million. His interest in the area extends beyond mere summer tourism; through sovereign funds, he controls several historical luxury hotels on the Costa Smeralda, including Cala di Volpe and Romazzino.
Regarding the potential purchase of the villa, representatives from Berlusconi’s estate remain guarded. A spokesperson for Fininvest stated to Euronews: “We are collecting several expressions of interest, but there are currently no advanced negotiations. We do not comment on individual interlocutors.”
Image | Wikimedia Commons (Khamenei.ir)