Johnny Depp Plans To Buy $4M Historic Castle In Italy 2 Years After Winning Amber Heard Defamation Trial
Johnny Depp has his eyes set on a historic castle in Montalto Dora, Italy, according to a report.
The 60-year-old actor has been living and making movies in Europe following his major legal victory in the 2022 defamation trial with his ex-wife, Amber Heard. He is busy directing "Modi," a biopic about Italian artist Amedeo Modigliani. While helming the film, he toured the hills of Mount Crovero in Turin, per Corriere delle Sera.
Sources told The Post that actor Riccardo Scamarcio, who stars in "Modi," was a frequent visitor of the property. He reportedly took Depp with him, and the latter got interested in buying it.
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The 22,000-square-foot property is currently for sale after a lengthy restoration. It has medieval and gothic influences, with 11 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, a paved courtyard and a 15th-century chapel. Additionally, there's a small castle and farmhouse on the land, per Il Messaggero.
However, Renzo Galletto, the mayor of Montalto Dora, was reportedly not sure if Depp would be perfect for the property. According to him, the residence is under the protection of Italian Cultural Heritage, and there are a lot of rules before the property is handed over to the new owner.
"A celebrity buying a historic monument like the Montalto Dora castle would bring a lot of attention to the area, but we're not sure if it would be the right' economic synergy' for the community," he explained to The Post.
"The castle is a Site of Community Interest, which means it comes with certain rules which have to be followed. Building [anything new inside or out] would require a lot of approvals and permissions."
According to the mayor, he has not met the "Pirates of the Caribbean" actor in person. He added that Depp would not be immediately discounted should he make an offer for the castle.
"The property is private and we [the town] will be absolutely neutral in any real estate sale," Galleto continued. "But we will be very strict when it comes to the urban planning rules, we will do everything we can to protect the castle."
An unnamed insider close to Depp said he would "of course" respect the rules and regulations should he buy the property.
The outlet noted that the "Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald" actor already owned a castle, of sorts, in West Hollywood. The property was reportedly a replica of a Bavarian castle and looked like a horror movie set with turrets, towers and battlements. The actor-musician reportedly purchased it for $2.3 million in 1995.
Since winning the case, Depp has been living in an 850-acre estate in Somerset, England, which he bought in 2014. In an interview with Somerset Life magazine in March 2023, he explained why he purchased the properties he owns today.
"I just love places with character," he said. "I have various houses in various places, and they all mean something special. I don't have them just to say I own them, I have them for use and because they are a bit special."
He also gave fans a glimpse of his life in Britain. According to Depp, he "can go into shops without being surrounded by people wanting selfies."
"British people are cool and will greet you as if you are a neighbor -- without going over the top," he said. "I like going to places, seeing things and meeting people -- but I'm not the great extrovert that people think."
"In truth, I'm quite a shy person. That's one of the great things about Britain, and especially Somerset. I can just be me -- and that's nice."
