A Journey of Renewal: From Divorce to Grand Palazzo Ownership in Italy

In the heart of the central Lazio region in Italy, a majestic palazzo, Palazzo Menichelli, stood dormant for nearly three decades, its history echoing through the empty halls. Little did this architectural gem know that its saviors would emerge in the form of an unconventional duo – Kelly and Jesse Galloway, a couple originally from Australia who had navigated the tumultuous waters of divorce back in 2013. Let’s find out with nowglas.

Their story, one of rediscovery and unexpected collaboration, unfolded as they strolled through the palazzo’s opulent interiors, their eyes drawn to the intricately frescoed ceilings. The decision to purchase this historical property seemed almost preordained, marking a significant turning point for the former couple.

Kelly, a former furniture manufacturer, vividly recalls the pivotal moment, “The agent led us through this covered walkway, opened the door and brought us into this beautiful big kitchen. Then [we went] through the kitchen and into the main entrance, and I stood and looked up the staircase and began to cry.”

What adds a layer of intrigue to this narrative is that Kelly and Jess, who had shared 18 years of marriage before their divorce, found themselves not only in Italy but as proud co-owners of Palazzo Menichelli. Despite the complexities of their past, a platonic friendship endured, laying the foundation for an unforeseen partnership in the heart of Italy.

Kelly’s dream of an idyllic life in Italy had been deferred since 2014 when plans to relocate fell through. A visit in 2018 rekindled her passion for the country. By 2019, she had put down a deposit on a palazzo in Alvito, Lazio. However, the onset of the global Covid-19 pandemic prompted her to reassess, leading her to withdraw from the deal. Undeterred, she approached Jess with an unconventional proposition – to join her on this Italian adventure.

“We’ve been platonic for many years,” Kelly explains. “But we’re good friends. And I saw it as a chance for Jess to have a home of his own and for me to have a home of my own and [for us to] live happily ever after in this beautiful place.”

In July 2020, with two greyhounds in tow, the pair embarked on a journey to Italy. Jess, a first-time visitor, initially intended to stay briefly but found himself captivated by Palazzo Menichelli during a viewing. Negotiations ensued, and they acquired the property for €123,000 ($132,700).

The restoration journey commenced. Armed with an Elective Residency Visa, the couple, both over 60, delved into the intricate process of transforming the neglected palazzo. To their surprise, the property revealed no structural, plumbing, or electrical issues, setting a positive tone for the ambitious restoration project.

Over the next three years, they dedicated themselves to the arduous task of renovations. From converting a bedroom into a music room to meticulously restoring a Venetian harpsichord, Kelly and Jess infused every nook and cranny of the 500-square-meter palazzo with their personalities.

One of the more challenging tasks involved creating a garden “from scratch” on a foundation of random stone pieces. The restoration journey also unveiled hidden frescoes, leading to a long-term project of carefully removing paint to restore these artistic treasures.

Despite language barriers and the challenges of learning Italian, the couple found solace in the warmth of the local community. Stimigliano, an hour from Rome, became a welcoming haven.

While Jess adapted quickly to the Italian way of life, Kelly, somewhat shy, found herself occasionally struggling to understand the locals. However, their commitment to local events and the small-town charm offered a fairytale-like experience.

Though Jess had initially planned only a brief stay in Italy, he found himself deeply connected to Stimigliano, the quaint village that cradled Palazzo Menichelli. The community embraced them, and the Galloways became integral members, grateful for the friendliness and helpfulness that defined their new Italian life.

However, the couple admits that learning Italian and fully integrating into the local community presented substantial challenges. “I’m quite shy,” confesses Kelly. “So I sort of feel embarrassed. I beat myself up a lot because I don’t understand as much of what the locals are saying.”

While Jess picked up words along the way and could “sort of scrape by” at the supermarket, fluency remained elusive. The language barrier, coupled with the demands of property restoration and the impact of the pandemic, hindered socializing with locals to some extent.

“I’d be lying if I told you that we go to lots of get-togethers with locals and we all go around to each other’s houses,” says Kelly. “That hasn’t really happened very much. But we do go to all of the local events. And the wonderful thing about little Italian towns is that there’s constantly events going on.”

The warmth and kindness of the local community have left an indelible mark on Kelly. She describes how neighbors would occasionally “turn up at our door and give us a lasagna” or how Jess would find himself being handed a free coffee or bottle of wine while out and about.

Kelly revels in the slower pace of life in the Italian town and contrasts it with her previous experiences in Australia. “I was a terrible fit for Australia,” she admits, referring to the perceived laid-back lifestyle that contrasts with the “rush” of everyday life.

“Australia is kind of painted as this place where it’s a very chill life. In reality, it’s very ‘rush.’ You’re always kind of working for something. Whereas here, you’re in this tiny little town, and everybody sort of knows each other.”

The close-knit community in Stimigliano, where greetings are exchanged freely, and helping hands are extended without hesitation, has, for Kelly, become a scene straight out of a fairytale book.

Their four-legged companion, Vonny, has seamlessly adapted to his new home. Sadly, Kelly’s other dog, Gooee, who accompanied them to Italy, passed away in March. Despite the challenges and the occasional confusion their platonic relationship creates when meeting strangers, Kelly and Jess are content with their unique setup.

“I guess we’ve got better at dealing with it,” says Kelly, highlighting their seamless teamwork. “But I’m 60, and Jess is now 62. Pardon my bluntness, but at our age, a lot of people aren’t doing much anyway. So we’re kind of like a lot of married couples would be at this point.”

While Kelly had spoken of moving to Italy for many years, her friends back home didn’t always take her seriously, and even her family questioned it at times. “Everybody said, ‘No, it won’t happen,'” she recalls. “But once I sold my house, they knew that I was definitely coming over here.”

Their children, thrilled by the unfolding narrative, reflect the positive outcome of their parents’ journey. Kelly shares that their son plans to visit at some point this year, eager to experience the unique charm of their Italian haven.

As the couple emphasizes the simplicity of bureaucratic processes compared to the richness of daily life in Italy, they offer a perspective on the challenges faced by expats. Kelly notes that some expats return to their home countries, often citing Italian bureaucracy as a significant hurdle. The requirement for most non-EU expats to obtain an Italian driving license after a year, involving the Italian driving test, is one of the often-cited challenges.

“People complain about the bureaucracy,” says Kelly. “But what I point out is, we spend a tiny fraction of our time each year dealing with bureaucracy and 99% of our time just living this beautiful life in this beautiful place.”

Their focus remains on the ongoing restoration of Palazzo Menichelli and embracing the joys of their new life in Italy, a place that Kelly had fantasized about for so long. “It’s hard to imagine anywhere else being home other than this place for either of us anymore,” she adds, expressing the profound connection they feel to their Italian abode.

In essence, Palazzo Menichelli represents not just a meticulously restored property but a shared journey, a unique chapter in the lives of Kelly and Jess that continues to unfold against the enchanting backdrop of Italy. As they immerse themselves in the beauty of this new chapter, the Galloways encourage others to focus on the joys of life rather than getting bogged down by bureaucratic details. For them, the palazzo is more than a tangible structure; it symbolizes resilience, shared dreams, and the promise of a fulfilling life that continues to evolve in the heart of Italy.

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