Grounds
Manoria unfolds gradually. From the gates, a long private drive winds its way up through the estate towards the manor. A natural stream follows the landscape down towards the pond, home to koi and carp, with the stables set nearby. Along the way, the estate's small vineyard comes into view, planted with three grape varieties. Further uphill sits the manor, surrounded by the main terraces and gathering spaces of the estate. But the grounds continue beyond the house. Behind the manor, the orchard rises further up the hillside. Planted nearly twenty years ago, it is now home to around 360 fruit trees, including several varieties of apple, walnut, quince, cherry and plum. A gravel path circles the orchard, creating a quiet route for walking through the grounds. At the very top, a private gate opens directly from the estate into the oak forest and its marked walking trails. Almost half of Manoria borders this forest. With no immediate neighbours, the estate feels remarkably secluded, surrounded by countryside, trees and open land.
At the Top
At the highest point of the estate sits the manor itself, its façade detailed with hand-painted work created by a Romanian artist. Around it, much of life at Manoria happens outdoors. The tennis court sits among the trees and greenery, while at the edge of the forest, the infinity pool opens towards uninterrupted views of the surrounding landscape. Beside the pool, a large terrace and pontoon create a place for long lunches, dinners, drinks and summer gatherings. An adjoining indoor entertaining space, with a kitchen island and bar, allows the area to move easily between indoors and out. A little further into the trees, a secluded forest sitting area offers a quieter corner of the estate. Surrounded by tall trees and filtered summer light, it is a place to read, sit for a while and listen to little more than the birds.
The Manor
Inspired by traditional Bavarian architecture, the manor is defined by timber, shuttered windows and a hand-painted façade, created by a Romanian artist specifically for the house. Inside, the character becomes richer and more layered. Baroque influences sit alongside extensive cherry and oak woodwork, silk wall coverings, distinctive light fixtures and furniture sourced largely from Italy or made especially for the house. Over the years, the owners have collected paintings, artworks and objects of personal significance. Today, the hallways and rooms feel at times like a small, personal gallery, where there is always something new to notice. Each room tells a different story, making the manor as much a place to discover as it is a place to stay. Large windows bring natural light deep into the interiors and keep the surrounding landscape present throughout. The main floor was designed around spending time together. At its heart is a generous living and dining space, with a fireplace, library, piano, board games and comfortable sitting areas. The guest kitchen, intimate and informal, looks towards the orchard and connects directly to the manor terrace. Outside, the terrace becomes another living space, with seating, outdoor dining and a wood and charcoal barbecue available for guests to use. From here, the house opens onto the surrounding landscape and the grounds below. Across the two upper floors are seven individually designed bedrooms and suites. Each has its own character and decorative theme, as well as a private bathroom and balcony or terrace overlooking different parts of the estate. Behind the scenes, a separate service level allows the house to operate quietly around its guests, with a professional kitchen, laundry, cold storage and dedicated spaces for the estate team. Throughout the year, Manoria changes with the landscape around it. Deep green in summer, surrounded by colour in autumn, quiet beneath winter skies and renewed again in spring, the estate takes on a different character with every season. Inside, the manor remains much the same: warm, intimate and made to be lived in.
