Castle near Syracuse - etia no.: 132

description:

The castle is set in an excellent position, only a few minutes from famous towns like Caltagirone and Siracusa. The estate also includes a Late Stone Age necropolis, an area of great historical and archeological interest.

This Catalonian Castle has been the property of one of Sicily's oldes noble families since the 13th century. The estate covers hundreds of hectares and today the castle, still owned by the same family, is surrounded by one of the largest citrus groves in Sicily (200 hectares).

The magnificent property takes you into a fairy tale world, starting with your entrance through a private gate and down a long driveway, which leads you through acres of oranges and tangerines. The base of the Castle is met by a large parking lot, which allows the property to be flanked with palms and Mediterranean flora to the entrance of the Castle, through its large, antique oak-arched doors. To the right of the entrance is a private church and the left of the entrance takes you along a path to the pool deck.

Dating back to the 16th century, the 300 sq. meter internal courtyard (roughly 3,500 sq.feet) is paved in lava stone. The main facade is in a neo-Gothic style characterized by a central tower decorated with the coat of arms. The courtyard opens out onto a spacious garden of palms and Mediterranean flora, with a spacious swimming pool available for use in summer.

The main entrance leads you into a corridor and open-air patio courtyard.  The courtyard is bordered by a series of room and entrances, starting with a small waiting room is found to the left, while a small room to the right offers another sitting or reception area.  This room leads to a series of sitting rooms connecting internally to the private church.  The series of large sitting and lounge rooms are quite unique.  With a true Roman décor, these lounges, wonderful for relaxing and socializing, offer comfortable couches, pillow chairs, and great Roman décor.  The two, large lounge rooms lead into an amazing, informal dining room with a round nights-table and pillow seating for 14.  The whole area has a very medieval and unique feel, with wall torches and large, white cushions abounding.  The courtyard is also bordered by a large reception dining room and as well as a room boasting an original olive press.  The lasts room found along the courtyard is an amazing, original wine processing room with large, concrete grape tubs and concrete wine passageways.  It is a testament to the true, ancient are of wine making.  The courtyard also offers two large bathrooms (only toilets).

The Castle is divided into two wings. Ten guests can sleep in the left wing, which is located up 17 steps off of the patio corridor.  Both wings boast a total of 6 bedrooms (3 each).  The left wing enjoys two finely decorated sitting rooms, each with its own fireplace.  There are large couches and chairs and wonderfully detailed décor (lamps, bookshelves, flowers, art).  The whole wing is very cured.  The three bedrooms are divided between a double, a twin, and a single, there are two bathrooms found in the left wing (not en-suite), both with large bathtubs.  The right wing enjoys a dining room and kitchen, as well as a small kitchen foyer and two sitting rooms, which connect with the first wing.  The right wing also enjoys 3 bedrooms (two twin bedrooms and a single, which is perfect for a baby sitter).  The single enjoys an en-suite bathroom. The bathrooms are simple.

Fitted with every comfort, the residential wings have been restored by the family with great attention to detail. The antique furniture, which has always been part of the house, has been enriched with beautiful trompe-l'oeil.  The floors are layered in old Sicilian pottery tiles which give a morbid charm to the rooms.  Huge stone fireplaces heat the sitting rooms, while the other areas are fitted with modern electric heating.

Acces:
Entrance to the property is through a private, electronically controlled gate off of a residential street.

Facilities:

• 9 double rooms
• 2 single rooms
• 9 bathrooms
• 2 kitchen
• 4 living rooms
• 1 hall
• Pool
• consecrated Chapel
• Parking
• Maid
• Cook
• Continental breakfast,
• Satellite TV
• Diswasher
• Washing machine
• Barbeque
• Telephone*
• Fax*
• Air conditioning*

* to be paid locally

distances:

approx. kms

our suggestion:

Beautiful property in a good position for a relaxing as well for a sightseeing stay.