13 bedrooms castle, 1026 m²

Noto, Syracuse (province)

At the end of the 19th century, Marchese Rau della Ferla and Prince Nicolaci commissioned the renowned architect Francesco Cassone to design their summer residence, located on the picturesque hill overlooking Noto. The villa, built in refined neo-medieval style, used limestone extracted from the same hill and featured three cisterns carved into the rock to collect rainwater, an innovative sustainable solution for the time. The villa became a symbol of elegance in Sicilian architecture. The UNESCO recognition received in 2005 sparked a true cultural renaissance in Noto, now famous for its museums, cultural events, and Michelin-starred restaurants. The villa spans approximately 13,900 m² (149,598 sq ft) and includes an elegant main building, two annexed structures, and a pool, inaugurated in 2018. A long 200-meter private driveway leads to the main entrance; past the formal entrance, one enters the "piano nobile," which houses a large living room and nine other rooms. At the back of the living room, there is a large terrace, accompanied by two smaller terraces, offering a breathtaking panorama. Ascending to the tower, which contains a spacious room, one enjoys a panoramic view extending across the southeastern part of Sicily, from the Mediterranean Sea to Portopalo di Capo Passero, the southernmost point of the island. Below the "piano nobile," there is a dining room, a kitchen, and an additional bedroom, all with direct access to various dining areas near the pool and the belvedere. The stables have been converted into a guesthouse with a studio and three en-suite guest rooms, as well as a kitchen with an ancient stone oven. Located 2 km (1.2 miles) from Noto and 8 km (5 miles) from the sea, the villa offers tranquility and beauty in a strategic position near Syracuse and Catania Airport, providing an exclusive retreat in a stunning natural and historical setting.