A sprawling Sardinian villa once owned by former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has been sold for approximately £300 million, marking one of the most high-profile real estate transactions in the region. The estate, Villa Certosa, is located on Costa Smeralda, an exclusive stretch of coastline on the island of Sardinia, and is widely known for its expansive grounds, distinctive features, and its association with Berlusconi’s controversial social life.
The buyer is reportedly Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabr al-Thani, commonly known as HBJ, a former prime minister of Qatar and ex-chief executive of the Qatar Investment Authority. HBJ has earned a reputation as a major investor, having acquired significant assets across London, including stakes in Harrods, the London Stock Exchange, and the Shard. The villa’s purchase adds to Qatar’s growing portfolio of luxury properties abroad.
Villa Certosa spans approximately 300 acres and includes 68 rooms, extensive landscaped gardens, multiple swimming pools, and amenities such as a spa, a Roman-style amphitheatre, a golf course, and a medicinal herb garden. The estate also features a heliport and a nuclear-grade underground bunker. One of its most remarkable attributes is a secret sea cave with private docking facilities, connected to the main residence via illuminated passageways. This grotto contains a swimming pool adorned with a mosaic of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea.
The property’s notoriety dates back to 2009, when photographs surfaced showing then Czech Prime Minister Mirek Topolánek on the estate grounds, including images of him nude and accompanied by topless models. The villa was also known for hosting high-profile gatherings attended by influential figures such as Vladimir Putin and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie. Berlusconi’s tenure at the property was marked by lavish parties, some of which involved extravagant features like a giant artificial volcano, which once caused firefighters to be called after an eruption-related incident.
Following Berlusconi’s death in 2023 at age 86, Villa Certosa had been on the market for several months with an asking price reportedly up to €500 million (£430 million). Speculation around potential buyers included the Sultan of Brunei, other wealthy Arab investors, and major hotel chains. The sale was confirmed by Fininvest, the holding company controlled by Berlusconi’s heirs. According to Italian media reports, the transaction was finalized with Constellation Hotels Ltd, part of the Qatari royal family’s real estate ventures, for a price around €350 million.
The villa’s interior showcases skilled craftsmanship, featuring hand-painted ceramics and Sardinian white granite that create an aura of understated luxury. Sotheby’s International Realty, which listed the property, highlighted its combination of opulence, privacy, and unique architectural elements as key selling points. Berlusconi’s ownership has cemented Villa Certosa’s reputation as both a symbol of wealth and a backdrop to some of the political and social drama that marked his life and career.