The Castle of Donnafugata stands in the countryside on a low hill amidst trees of carob and olive about 15km from Ragusa. Its name is linked to the toponym ayn as Jafat which means fountain of health probably due to the presence of thermal waters, the area reached its peak in the 1800s.
The large building in white stone was built around a 14th century tower owned by the Arezzo family, the feudal lords, and combines styles from different eras. The wide façade with merlons has two circular side towers, a panoramic terrace and a loggia with pointed arches. A large monumental staircase leads inside where 122 rooms are spread out over three floors, including 22 with original furnishings including wallpapers, paintings, trompe-l’oeil and curtains that are open to the public.
The eight hectares of garden include large magnolias, exotic plants, a circular neoclassical temple, stone labyrinthand several artificial caves with stalactites.
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
