Looking at buying in italy - 1600's property

[henpecked]

Hi Guys,
Been off for a bit ducking and diving and expanding my property portfolio.
Currently looking at buying a 16C Italian bolt hole. It was previously a workshop area, several grouped inot a courtyard with a ghotto (or grotto if you like)
The living area is OK. One large kitchen/family room with a bedroom off it and separate toilet/shower. The 'Ghotto' bit is next door and was used to process oil in days gone by. Its slightly below ground level ,about a foot. This is the problem,it gets damp. if it was used all year, it wouldn't be a problem as the heat created would solve any damp issues. The room has been used as a day room, but with the property being vacant for the winter, the furniture has been moved out.
As its an old building, high vaulted ceilings,would tanking the inner walls be an option with a gutter dug across the front elevation, or would it be a full damp proofing jobbie, belt and braces approach?
The walls are stone and about 1.5 ft thick

All the best

Hp

[local patios and driveway]

Sounds ideal, tanking it will keep it damp free inside, the gutter should allow it all to dry out from the outside

[lutonlagerlout]

where abouts in italy hen?
I know brits in italy and bureaucracy there is a minefield
form after form
i love the country
but count italian builders somewhere close to spanish builders in terms of speed
LLL

[Pablo]

A mason told me a rule of thumb is an inch a year for drying out stone walls good luck and lets see some photos.

[henpecked]

Its in Irsina. Mid southern Italy. Theres a buyers clause to do a repair to the roof. This is included in the buying price,might have something to do with it

Heres some photos ,not great as they do not show the outside too well, but you'll get an idea.

Irsina

[henpecked]

THIS is the ghotto.
It has been relieved of its furniture, as you can see it has a few nooks ands crannies.