luxury properties for sale Sicily, Italy

Just a stone's throw from the Baroque heart of Noto, atop a hill in the Val di Noto, stands a residence that is a true piece of Sicilian history. At the end of the 19th century, the Marquis Rau della Ferla and Prince Nicolaci chose this unique setting for their summer residence, entrusting its design to the renowned architect Francesco Cassone. The result is a masterpiece carved from the warm local limestone that absorbs the golden sunlight, enhanced by three historic cisterns hewn from the rock. The experience begins along the majestic 200mq (2,153 sq. ft) private driveway, set within a park of over 10,000 sqm (2.47 acres) that guarantees complete privacy. The main building reveals a sumptuous main floor dominated by a monumental hall; from here, large windows lead to a spectacular main terrace and two intimate loggias, suspended above the landscape. But it is upon ascending to the bedroom housed within the tower that the property reveals its greatest secret: a 360° view encompassing the whole of south-eastern Sicily, stretching as far as the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea and Portopalo di Capo Passero. The villa's welcoming atmosphere is most evident on the lower level, where the dining room and kitchen open directly onto the outdoors. Here, life moves outdoors, amongst shaded areas for summer lunches and the magnificent swimming pool, a watery oasis set within the belvedere. To ensure a perfect welcome, the old stables have been converted into a self-contained annexe, complete with a study, a kitchen featuring an antique stone oven, and three exclusive bedrooms. Set within the context of Noto - now a dynamic UNESCO cultural centre of international standing and just 8 km from the crystal-clear sea - this property represents the ideal balance between the tranquillity of a private retreat and proximity to Syracuse and Catania Airport. An unforgettable home, designed to be lived in, cherished and passed down through the generations.