A Swedish real estate agent has listed an unusual piece of property on the market for sale: a five-bedroom house, complete with medieval tomb and skeleton in the cellar.
The ’skeleton house’, located in central Visby on the Baltic Sea island of Gotland, was built in 1750 on the foundations of a Russian church. The kitchen lies on the presbytery, and the tomb containing the skeleton — visible through a glass panel — is in the cellar.
According to Sweden’s The Local, the real estate agency’s owner Leif Bertwig said there is no reason to be afraid as the skeleton “lies in consecrated soil and rests in peace.”
Bertwig added the remains are likely to belong to a Russian man who died some 800 years ago – and assured potential buyers there’s nothing ghastly about the home.
“If any prospective buyers would be worried that he will haunt the house they have nothing to fear,” Bertwig said.
“It’s definitely not a negative thing, more like a curious detail. Buyers will more likely be attracted to what the house looks like and how it’s built.”
Bertwig also pointed out that while such a home offering may seem odd to some, old medieval ruins are not at all uncommon on the island.
“There are several historical remains of buildings in Visby, and I have come across many during my 33 years as a realtor here,” he said.
The cellar housing the old church ruin and the skeleton can’t be accessed from the house itself but can be reached through a closed-off entrance shared by the four adjoining properties.
“The living room is just above the chancel of the Russian church and the 800-year-old individual resting in a glassed crypt is actually outside the housing unit. He is under the patio,” Bertwig explained.
Evidence uncovered during excavations in the 1970s show that people have lived in the area for at least 4000 years, rendering the land as historic in value by the state.
“It is protected, which means you are forbidden to do anything. Residents can’t alter the foundation or change anything below ground as it would be against the law, and visits cannot be made without respect and caution,” Bertwig said.
Although they’re forbidden from touching the skeleton, Bertwig said prospective residents are more than welcome to take advantage of the skeleton’s presence by taking in the significance of history below their feet.
“They could bring down a few tables and some chairs if they wish. For those who enjoy history it makes for an exceptional opportunity to get right into the Middle Ages,” he said.
The starting price for the house — skeleton and tomb included — is 4.1 million kronor (approximately US$640,000).
View Comments
Loading ...
