Donnafugata Castle

An 19th-century manor at the end of a long avenue. 20 km from Ragusa stands the Castle of Donnafugata: once a rich noble residence with its 122 rooms, today it is a must-visit tourist destination and a set for famous films—several scenes from the Rai1 series Inspector Montalbano, Roberto Faenza’s The Viceroys, and Matteo Garrone’s Tale of Tales were filmed here.

First owned by the Chiaramonte family, in the mid-17th century it passed to the Arezzo de Spuches family, who transformed it into a true village (*borgo*). Austere, elegant, beautiful.

Regarding the origin of the name, there are several hypotheses and even a legend, such as the escape of Queen Blanche of Navarre, widow of King Martin I of Aragon and regent of the Kingdom of Sicily, who was imprisoned by Count Bernardo Cabrera, her suitor—Donnafugata coming from “donna fuiuta” (escaped woman). The most credited theory is that the castle’s name comes from the Arabic *ain as iafaiat*, meaning “spring of health,” due to the presence of a nearby spring.

After visiting the manor’s rooms, admiring the furnishings of the period, the halls, and the private quarters, and learning some charming anecdotes about its former owners, take a break in the marvelous park. It is the crown jewel of the estate: 8 hectares featuring three types of landscape design—an English garden, a French garden, and an area once dedicated to the cultivation of aromatic plants and beekeeping—housing a total of 1,500 plant species. There is even a stone labyrinth created for the amusement of the castle’s many guests.

Another recommendation is a visit to Mu.De.Co., the permanent museum of Sicilian Costume History from the 18th to the 20th century, opened in October 2020 after several years of work. It displays the collection originally belonging to Gabriele Arezzo di Trifiletti, heir to the Arezzo family, of immeasurable value: 400 years of history told through 60 complete outfits, 695 individual garments, 1,555 fashion accessories including shoes and hats of every shape, and 72 various objects. Located on the ground floor of the castle, you will undoubtedly love it!