The ruins
Hamlet of the Tannery: a ghost town from the 18th century.
21 June 2022 - Categorie: The places of the heart, Cultural tourism, Cities of Art and Villages Tags:
In the Vizzini area, in the wonderful province of Catania, the Borgo della Conceria, also known as' a Cunziria, was born between the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, now in a state of neglect since the 1920s. A real ghost town, rich in history and architectural gems, which you cannot miss during your journey to discover Sicily. And what better starting point to explore this delightful part of the island during your holidays? In addition to the Borgo, you can visit the splendid Catania and her majesty the Etna to the north, perhaps take a trip to one of the very famous wineries in the Etna Valley where fine white wines are produced. Further north you could visit the beautiful Taormina, or head further south towards the fantastic Syracuse and Ortigia. And rest assured, our luxury villas would be waiting for you with open arms for a dip in their private pools and to rest after a day of discovery.
As the name might suggest, the main feature of the Borgo della Conceria (tannery) was the processing of leather, and it was located in an area built up outside the urban center of Vizzini, which arose out of the practical needs of those who worked near the Masera stream. In fact, the building of the numerous houses was due not only to the proximity to the stream but also to the particular conformation of the land formed by numerous hills on which it was possible to build a house and, thanks to the excellent exposure, there were large spaces suitable for the drying process of the hides. The village extends for about 8500 square meters and has about 40 buildings, between the valley and the hill, with two-storey houses with vegetable gardens that had small gardens and a series of courtyards. There was everything for leather processing, including tannin available in abundance thanks to the copious presence of the plant from which it is obtained. Walking through the village, it is possible to admire the tanks inside which the hides were cleaned and treated, many of them dug directly into the rock.
As the name might suggest, the main feature of the Borgo della Conceria (tannery) was the processing of leather, and it was located in an area built up outside the urban center of Vizzini, which arose out of the practical needs of those who worked near the Masera stream. In fact, the building of the numerous houses was due not only to the proximity to the stream but also to the particular conformation of the land formed by numerous hills on which it was possible to build a house and, thanks to the excellent exposure, there were large spaces suitable for the drying process of the hides. The village extends for about 8500 square meters and has about 40 buildings, between the valley and the hill, with two-storey houses with vegetable gardens that had small gardens and a series of courtyards. There was everything for leather processing, including tannin available in abundance thanks to the copious presence of the plant from which it is obtained. Walking through the village, it is possible to admire the tanks inside which the hides were cleaned and treated, many of them dug directly into the rock.
Places for processing
The houses
The period of construction of the first urban nucleus of Cunziria is not known but it is known that from the 1920s it began its decline until the 1960s when the artisan practice of tanning was abandoned on an industrial scale. The village remains a very suggestive place where, however, only the ruins lies, including those of the village church, dating back to Roman times and dedicated to Sant’Eligio. So evocative and fascinating to be seen by Giovanni Verga as the setting for his novella Cavalleria Rusticana, as set for the film “La Lupa” by Gabriele Lavia and set for Zeffirelli's remake of La Cavalleria itself. What are you waiting for? Let yourself be enveloped not only by the sun and the sea but also by the mystery and thrill during your holidays in Sicily.
Recommended villas
Il Faro di Brucoli: In the heart of the small fishing village of Brucoli, in the province of Syracuse and a few minutes by car from Catania, this wonderful residence is born. Built in 1911 and recently restored with taste and elegance, the residence has been transformed into a luxury lighthouse, the only one of its kind in all of Sicily! Let yourself be inebriated by the senses of this splendid place that smells of the sea, let yourself be lulled by its breeze and let yourself be given that fantastic view of the Ionian Sea and its majesty Etna.
Nerello Mascalese: Splendid country residence located on the slopes of the Etna volcano, very close to the characteristic town of Randazzo. With its 5 bedrooms, it is ready to welcome you whether you are with family or friends for a holiday of peace and quiet, detached from the chaos of the city. The residence has many shaded corners in which to relax and a delightful private swimming pool in which to cool off in the hottest hours and be able to observe the wonderful panorama over the hills of Eastern Sicily.
Buena Vista: Majestic and elegant private villa in one of the most sought-after cities by world tourism: Taormina. With its 3000 square meters of garden, get ready for a holiday in the colors of eastern Sicily, enjoy the quiet inside the wonderful Jacuzzi located on the terrace of the house to give you an unprecedented view of the sea and the bay of the city since always most praised by writers, philosophers and artists such as Goethe, Nietzsche and Klimt.
La Timpa: In the heart of a small and characteristic fishing village called Santa Tecla, famous for its many restaurants overlooking the sea and full of fresh fish, this delightful residence is born a few steps from Acireale. With its wonderful private swimming pool surrounded by a lush garden with an all-Mediterranean flavor and with its view of the very blue Sicilian sea, it will give you moments of peace and fun whether you are with family or friends, from adults to children.
Borgo degli Aranci: In the village of Fiumefreddo, at the foot of Mount Etna and in front of the Ionian Sea, this spectacular residence is born, surrounded by citrus trees whose scent of oranges will delight your holidays. The residence is divided into three wonderful houses close to each other and surrounded by 11 hectares of land whose green lawn will lead you to the splendid swimming pool overlooking the gentle slope that naturally slopes towards the sea.
Viagrande: Luxurious villa with private pool located in Viagrande, on the south-eastern side of Etna. Furnished with taste and elegance but with a modern spirit, this splendid residence will give you moments of absolute quiet on its well-equipped and covered terrace or in its swimming pool immersed in the green of the English lawn and surrounded by Mediterranean plants.
Villaetna: Wonderful residence just a few kilometers from the Etna Volcano Park, detached from the chaos of the city and the classic tourist circuits to give you the opportunity to breathe the pure and nostalgic Sicily of an aristocratic past. Villaetna is an aristocratic home that has been renovated with great taste and attention to detail to preserve its splendid Baroque architecture. With its fantastic private swimming pool surrounded by the green nature of eastern Sicily, it is ready to give you immense peace and tranquility but also an excellent starting point for exploring this delightful part of the island.
Nerello Mascalese: Splendid country residence located on the slopes of the Etna volcano, very close to the characteristic town of Randazzo. With its 5 bedrooms, it is ready to welcome you whether you are with family or friends for a holiday of peace and quiet, detached from the chaos of the city. The residence has many shaded corners in which to relax and a delightful private swimming pool in which to cool off in the hottest hours and be able to observe the wonderful panorama over the hills of Eastern Sicily.
Buena Vista: Majestic and elegant private villa in one of the most sought-after cities by world tourism: Taormina. With its 3000 square meters of garden, get ready for a holiday in the colors of eastern Sicily, enjoy the quiet inside the wonderful Jacuzzi located on the terrace of the house to give you an unprecedented view of the sea and the bay of the city since always most praised by writers, philosophers and artists such as Goethe, Nietzsche and Klimt.
La Timpa: In the heart of a small and characteristic fishing village called Santa Tecla, famous for its many restaurants overlooking the sea and full of fresh fish, this delightful residence is born a few steps from Acireale. With its wonderful private swimming pool surrounded by a lush garden with an all-Mediterranean flavor and with its view of the very blue Sicilian sea, it will give you moments of peace and fun whether you are with family or friends, from adults to children.
Borgo degli Aranci: In the village of Fiumefreddo, at the foot of Mount Etna and in front of the Ionian Sea, this spectacular residence is born, surrounded by citrus trees whose scent of oranges will delight your holidays. The residence is divided into three wonderful houses close to each other and surrounded by 11 hectares of land whose green lawn will lead you to the splendid swimming pool overlooking the gentle slope that naturally slopes towards the sea.
Viagrande: Luxurious villa with private pool located in Viagrande, on the south-eastern side of Etna. Furnished with taste and elegance but with a modern spirit, this splendid residence will give you moments of absolute quiet on its well-equipped and covered terrace or in its swimming pool immersed in the green of the English lawn and surrounded by Mediterranean plants.
Villaetna: Wonderful residence just a few kilometers from the Etna Volcano Park, detached from the chaos of the city and the classic tourist circuits to give you the opportunity to breathe the pure and nostalgic Sicily of an aristocratic past. Villaetna is an aristocratic home that has been renovated with great taste and attention to detail to preserve its splendid Baroque architecture. With its fantastic private swimming pool surrounded by the green nature of eastern Sicily, it is ready to give you immense peace and tranquility but also an excellent starting point for exploring this delightful part of the island.