Vladimir Putin (69) wanted to buy a villa in Gletterens in the canton of Friborg in 2008. At the time, Blick reported on the fast purchase. Sources indicated that the luxury villa is of great interest to Putin.
At the time, Putin was about to end his first term as Russian president. Dmitri Medvedev (56) replaced him until Putin ruled again from 2012. At that time he is said to have planned to move in with his lover Alina Kabaeva (38). This should now, while Putin bombs Ukraine, actually hiding in Switzerland with their children. But in Ticino instead of Gletterens.
Bombproof luxury property with bunker
In 2008 he wanted to buy the villa called «La Chatelaine». The property is secluded below the village. Putin would have lived on a 45,000 square meter property secured with a high fence and steel gates – and with a view of the lake.
Blick was there at the time. In 2008, the villa featured an underground bunker complex, a golden entrance, a surveillance system – and entrances disguised as a stone wall.
Private car tunnel to villa
The property in Gletterens would have been the ideal hiding place for Putin. Only two floors are visible, most of the usable area of 15,000 square meters is below ground. According to the «Aargauer Zeitung» a 100 meter car tunnel leads to the villa. It was secured on the outside with steel gates.
The interior, including the swimming pool, was luxurious when it was built, and the core of the bomb-proof villa was once a gigantic data center. According to the “Aargauer Zeitung”, a major Swiss bank was in contact with a relative of Putin. Initial visits are also said to have taken place.
Now it belongs to British Bank
Ultimately, however, it was not sold to Putin. It is not clear why the purchase failed. Today the property belongs to the British Barclays Bank. According to “Le Temps”, they bought the property in 2012 at a foreclosure auction for CHF 17 million. (eu)