Portopalo di Capo Passero, Syracuse, Sicily, Italy

This wonderful villa is located just a few kilometres from the sea of Portopalo di Capopassero, in Contrada Cuffara and is completely surrounded by greenery. 20,000 square metres of Mediterranean garden marked by dry-stone walls and populated by prickly pears, carob and olive trees: this is the setting of the villa, that is the result of the renovation of several rural buildings. The outdoor area is featured with a pergola of banana leaves, a place where one can enjoy conviviality and relaxation, overlooking the sea. The villa has a total surface of about 280 square metres and consists of a central body characterised by a large, bright living area, which is the heart of the house and a place for conviviality. This area is connected to the kitchen and opens onto the garden with a wonderful swimming pool through large glass sliding doors. Thus the site on which the property stands is used effectively and wisely in both winter and summer, when the climate allows one to dine under the stars inebriated by the scents that only Mediterranean vegetation can provide. The sleeping area includes three bedrooms with two bathrooms on the ground floor and a bedroom on the first floor. The essential and large interiors are enhanced by the use of dark plaster on the walls, with ochre and red accents that smell of spices, in accordance with local tradition. The furnishings in each room are minimal and sober. The neutral-coloured chairs and carpets, soft and reassuring, create a feeling of domestic calm. The sun enters the rooms through laser-cut doors and windows made of corten steel sheet: the result is that light, shadows and colours become architecture. Attached to the main body of the house and surrounded by Mediterranean vegetation, there is a charming open-air bathroom that offers feelings of extreme freedom.

The property is located in the unspoilt seaside area of Portopalo, a fishing village in the southernmost tip of Sicily, which serves as a watershed between the Ionian Sea and the Mediterranean. This seaside area is characterised by a long beach of golden sand, washed by crystal-clear and shallow waters, near lake areas where it is possible to spot flamingos and herons. The villa is located in a strategic position between the international airport of Catania and the airport of Comiso. It is also 50 km from Syracuse and only 20 km from Noto, the capital of Sicilian Baroque, as well as a few kilometres from the most beautiful Sicilian beaches, such as those of San Lorenzo, Calamosche and the Vendicari Reserve.