Overview
Donnafugata Castle: in-between reality and legend.
05 August 2022 - Categorie: Travel Tips, The places of the heart, Cultural tourism Tags:
About 15 kilometres from the splendid province of Ragusa, immersed in the unspoiled countryside of this south-eastern part of Sicily, you will find the majestic Donnafugata Castle.
Its splendour and its origins have always attracted the interest of thousands and thousands of tourists from all over the world, some interested in its architectural beauty and others in the legend that surrounds it.
The location also offers an excellent starting point for a journey to discover Sicily that will leave you speechless: the house of Commissioner Montalbano (protagonist of the homonymous TV series inspired by the novel by Andrea Camilleri), the cities of Sicilian Baroque UNESCO heritage of Noto, Modica, Scicli, Ragusa Ibla and Ispica.
The Cavagrande del Cassibile and Vendicari reserves, the Raganzino beach in Pozzallo (blue flag 2022), the Ispica quarries and much more are also easy to reach. In the meantime, you can always stay in one of our fantastic luxury villas with private pools not too far from this aristocratic building.
The Donnafugata Castle covers an area of about 7,500 square metres, stands on three floors in a neo-Gothic style, and is flanked by two wonderful side towers. A sumptuous late nineteenth-century noble residence that stood on the possessions of the wealthy Arezzo De Spuches family.
The Castle, which is accessed via a stone-pitch staircase typical of the Ragusa area, has more than 120 rooms of which, to date, only twenty are accessible to visitors. Taking a tour of these rooms is like travelling back in time, in the era of the "leoparda" (from the book "The Leopard" by Tomasi d Lampedusa, IT "Il Gattopardo", lit. "The Serval"), since the furnishings and furniture are the original ones of that time.
Each room had been decorated differently as it had a different purpose: not to be missed are the music room, the hall of mirrors, the hall of coats of arms and the legendary bedroom of the Queen Bianca of Navarra.
The origins of the Castle have always been a source of interest and have been widely discussed: its first construction seems to be due to the Chiaramonte, counts of Modica of the fourteenth century, but there are those who say that it was built on an old thirteenth-century tower.
In fact, all the data prior to the eighteenth century are only the fruit of the fifteenth-century legend that sees as protagonists Bernardo Cabrera, great executioner of the Kingdom of Sicily, and Bianca of Navarra.
The name of the castle itself has its origins in this legend that tells of the escape of the Queen, widow of King Martin I the Younger, who was imprisoned by Count Cabrera who aspired to his hand and the title of King.
The Park
Hall of Mirrors
Another view of the hall of mirrors
Not to be missed is the 8-hectare park that surrounds the house and where you can admire the "jokes" that Baron Corrado Arezzo had arranged to enliven the days at the castle. For example, the sprinkler placed in a seat that is activated as soon as you sit on it.
By opening a particular chapel, a rag monk was activated and suddenly emerged scaring the victim of the moment. And again the empty tombs scattered in the ground that frightened the women who took refuge from the baron who was very happy to console them.
By opening a particular chapel, a rag monk was activated and suddenly emerged scaring the victim of the moment. And again the empty tombs scattered in the ground that frightened the women who took refuge from the baron who was very happy to console them.
Recommended villas
Donnafugata Domus: Right next to the splendid Castello di Donnafugata, a sumptuous noble residence from the end of the 19th century that overlooked what were the possessions of the rich Arezzo De Spuches family, in the heart of the village of Santa Croce di Camerina in the wonderful province of Ragusa, this delightful villa with a taste contemporary but immersed in the colorful and fragrant countryside of south-eastern Sicily. An exclusive and uncontaminated place from which you can enjoy a unique view of the valley and the sea. A real oasis of peace and serenity, far from the chaos of the city but, at the same time, not too far from the splendid beach of fine and golden sand of Kamarina.
Villa Santa Croce: In the heart of the Ragusa countryside, surrounded by 7 hectares of olive, orange and carob trees, stands this delightful villa, recently renovated and furnished with taste and attention. Suitable for large families or groups of friends, this residence is ready to give you unforgettable moments of quiet and relaxation, inebriated by the colors and scents of Sicily. Cool off in its private pool surrounded by Mediterranean plants or enjoy a delicious aperitif in the shade of its spacious patio.
Villa Verdese: Wonderful residence with a modern taste located a few kilometers from the golden sandy beaches of Playa Grande and Marina di Ragusa. The villa is located on one of the most characteristic promontories of the Ragusa countryside whose panorama will leave you speechless while immersed in the fresh waters of the private swimming pool surrounded by a fantastic solarium and a shady patio of 180 square meters.
La Memoria dell'Acqua: Breathtaking villa a few kilometers from the Baroque city of Scicli, in the beautiful south-eastern Sicily. The dwelling will give you spoiled for choice on how to spend your holidays: you can enjoy its swimming pool right in front of the living area and its large windows or you can take advantage of the wonderful golden sandy beach, 8 km long and still hidden from tourism. of mass, a few tens of meters. Or you can visit the beautiful Baroque cities such as Noto or Modica.
Azucena: Majestic villa that silently rises with its 15 bedrooms and 15 bathrooms in the Ragusa area, halfway between the city and the marina. The residence is ready to give you great holidays with family or friends, in full privacy and relaxation with its spectacular infinity pool surrounded by a garden adorned with Mediterranean plants and prickly pears that will inebriate your senses. There are many courtyards and shady areas where you can enjoy silence and peace in the hottest hours or easily reachable, a few kilometers away, the wonderful beaches of Playa Grande, Pozzallo and Marina di Ragusa among their free areas and the infinite shores.
Flora: Located in the residential area of Marina di Ragusa adjacent to the Irminio River Nature Reserve, this splendid villa is ready to give you a holiday dedicated to privacy but with fun just a few steps away. In fact, easily reachable on foot, it is a lovely and secluded beach within the Reserve or, for lovers of summer and sparkling nightlife, the golden sandy beaches of Playa Grande and Marina di Ragusa are just a few hundred meters away! Or you can simply decide to stay at home and enjoy the fantastic private swimming pool surrounded by a well-kept garden with a Mediterranean flavor and organize a nice outdoor barbecue with friends and / or family.
Afrodite: Supreme villa with a contemporary taste located on the Hyblean plateau that will give you a breathtaking view of this little jewel of Ragusa. With its wonderful infinity pool, tennis court, barbecue and bowling green, you will be spoiled for choice on how to spend your holidays in south-eastern Sicily! And if you ever want to get out of this wonderful residence, just 15 km away you will find the spectacular beaches of Playa Grande and Marina di Ragusa and again, 30 minutes by car, you can reach the wonderful villages and beaches of Polla, Modica and Ispica too. awarded the Blue Flag 2022.
La Forma dell'Acqua: Fantastic residence located 100 meters from the fine golden sand beach of Donnalucata and surrounded by a garden of over 3,500 square meters on the coast of south-eastern Sicily. With its various shaded areas with equipped gazebos, its children's play area and its swimming pool with hydrojets, it is the ideal home for a holiday full of fun and relaxation for all ages.
Gisolfo: If you were looking for a splendid residence with a modern taste, simple but elegant, with a beautiful private swimming pool overlooking the splendid, colorful and fragrant countryside of Ragusa, Gisolfo is the villa for you. Let yourself be lulled by the quiet and relaxation that surround the house and by the smell of olive trees, carob trees and citrus fruits that will inebriate your senses. Just 12 km away, the splendid golden sandy beaches of Playa Grande and Marina di Ragusa will keep you company.
Càrcara: This marvellous Sicilian historic “baglio” is located in the heart of the unspoilt Ragusa countryside and surrounded by the colours and scents of Sicily. It is really difficult to try to describe in words the emotions one experiences during a holiday in this unprecedented place, surrounded by nature and relaxation. Càrcara is ready to give you that splendid and much sought-after balance between body and soul, far from the chaos of the city and the stress of everyday life. With 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, a fantastic and refreshing private swimming pool with spacious solarium, this incredible property is really suitable for everyone, from the big ones to the little ones, whether you are with family or friends. What are you waiting for? Come and relax in Ragusa.
Villa Santa Croce: In the heart of the Ragusa countryside, surrounded by 7 hectares of olive, orange and carob trees, stands this delightful villa, recently renovated and furnished with taste and attention. Suitable for large families or groups of friends, this residence is ready to give you unforgettable moments of quiet and relaxation, inebriated by the colors and scents of Sicily. Cool off in its private pool surrounded by Mediterranean plants or enjoy a delicious aperitif in the shade of its spacious patio.
Villa Verdese: Wonderful residence with a modern taste located a few kilometers from the golden sandy beaches of Playa Grande and Marina di Ragusa. The villa is located on one of the most characteristic promontories of the Ragusa countryside whose panorama will leave you speechless while immersed in the fresh waters of the private swimming pool surrounded by a fantastic solarium and a shady patio of 180 square meters.
La Memoria dell'Acqua: Breathtaking villa a few kilometers from the Baroque city of Scicli, in the beautiful south-eastern Sicily. The dwelling will give you spoiled for choice on how to spend your holidays: you can enjoy its swimming pool right in front of the living area and its large windows or you can take advantage of the wonderful golden sandy beach, 8 km long and still hidden from tourism. of mass, a few tens of meters. Or you can visit the beautiful Baroque cities such as Noto or Modica.
Azucena: Majestic villa that silently rises with its 15 bedrooms and 15 bathrooms in the Ragusa area, halfway between the city and the marina. The residence is ready to give you great holidays with family or friends, in full privacy and relaxation with its spectacular infinity pool surrounded by a garden adorned with Mediterranean plants and prickly pears that will inebriate your senses. There are many courtyards and shady areas where you can enjoy silence and peace in the hottest hours or easily reachable, a few kilometers away, the wonderful beaches of Playa Grande, Pozzallo and Marina di Ragusa among their free areas and the infinite shores.
Flora: Located in the residential area of Marina di Ragusa adjacent to the Irminio River Nature Reserve, this splendid villa is ready to give you a holiday dedicated to privacy but with fun just a few steps away. In fact, easily reachable on foot, it is a lovely and secluded beach within the Reserve or, for lovers of summer and sparkling nightlife, the golden sandy beaches of Playa Grande and Marina di Ragusa are just a few hundred meters away! Or you can simply decide to stay at home and enjoy the fantastic private swimming pool surrounded by a well-kept garden with a Mediterranean flavor and organize a nice outdoor barbecue with friends and / or family.
Afrodite: Supreme villa with a contemporary taste located on the Hyblean plateau that will give you a breathtaking view of this little jewel of Ragusa. With its wonderful infinity pool, tennis court, barbecue and bowling green, you will be spoiled for choice on how to spend your holidays in south-eastern Sicily! And if you ever want to get out of this wonderful residence, just 15 km away you will find the spectacular beaches of Playa Grande and Marina di Ragusa and again, 30 minutes by car, you can reach the wonderful villages and beaches of Polla, Modica and Ispica too. awarded the Blue Flag 2022.
La Forma dell'Acqua: Fantastic residence located 100 meters from the fine golden sand beach of Donnalucata and surrounded by a garden of over 3,500 square meters on the coast of south-eastern Sicily. With its various shaded areas with equipped gazebos, its children's play area and its swimming pool with hydrojets, it is the ideal home for a holiday full of fun and relaxation for all ages.
Gisolfo: If you were looking for a splendid residence with a modern taste, simple but elegant, with a beautiful private swimming pool overlooking the splendid, colorful and fragrant countryside of Ragusa, Gisolfo is the villa for you. Let yourself be lulled by the quiet and relaxation that surround the house and by the smell of olive trees, carob trees and citrus fruits that will inebriate your senses. Just 12 km away, the splendid golden sandy beaches of Playa Grande and Marina di Ragusa will keep you company.
Càrcara: This marvellous Sicilian historic “baglio” is located in the heart of the unspoilt Ragusa countryside and surrounded by the colours and scents of Sicily. It is really difficult to try to describe in words the emotions one experiences during a holiday in this unprecedented place, surrounded by nature and relaxation. Càrcara is ready to give you that splendid and much sought-after balance between body and soul, far from the chaos of the city and the stress of everyday life. With 6 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, a fantastic and refreshing private swimming pool with spacious solarium, this incredible property is really suitable for everyone, from the big ones to the little ones, whether you are with family or friends. What are you waiting for? Come and relax in Ragusa.