The hamlet of Falconara, about 5km from Butera (CL), is famous for its crystalline waters and sandy beach where groups of rocky cliffs rise known as the due rocche.
Surrounded by verdant Mediterranean vegetation, the 16th century castle looks over the sea partially surrounded by a wall with merlons. Extended and reinforced over time, the manor house retained its function as a watchtower, looking out for pirates throughout the 18th century.
The large central tower, part of the original nucleus of the castle, was not only used as part of the coastal defensive system, for a while hunting falcons were bred here, giving the palace its name. In the mid 1800s with the addition of a new building, it was restructured as a noble residence, conserving the ancient Aragonese structure and the original layout of the spaces.
The richly decorated and furnished rooms house collections of ceramics, paintings and hunting trophies. The 19th century wing which extends towards the sea ends in a wide terrace that overlooks the coastline below; this building, linked by a staircase to the original tower, has various drawing rooms and a side loggia.
The present-day owner, a descendant of the Baronial family, has restored the castle transforming it into a hotel.
Sicilia Film Commission
Via Emanuele Notarbartolo 9 — 90141 Palermo
Phone: +39 091 7078008; +39 091 7078264; +39 091 7078133; +39 091 7078145
Email: filmcommission@regione.sicilia.it
