Description of the attraction
Donnafugata is a fairytale castle located 20 km from Ragusa in the middle of a fantastic landscape surrounded by thickets of carob trees. The total area of the estate exceeds 2, 5 thousand square meters. The sand-colored walls reflect the sun's rays, so visitors have to squint to enjoy the views of the castle. The refreshing scent of lavender envelops tourists and involuntarily turns their thoughts to the distant past …
More than 700 years ago, a tower was built on this site, then a simple castle, and each successive owner left traces of their influence on the majestic building. Knowing the somewhat ostentatious and impulsive disposition of the Sicilians, one can erroneously assume that the name of the castle comes from the words "donna" - a woman, and "fugata" - escaped. In fact, everything is much more prosaic: next to the castle there is a source, whose Arabic name - "ainas-jafayat" - was eventually turned into Ronna Fuata, and even later - into Donnafugata. However, this castle, like many others, has a couple of heartbreaking love stories in store.
One of them tells about Bianca di Navarra, who, after the death of her husband Martin I, King of Sicily, ascended the throne in 1410. An elderly gentleman from Ragusa, Bernardo Cabrera, who dreamed of gaining power, and with it a young, beautiful wife, began to look after her. However, Bianca remained indifferent to her boyfriend. In the end, Cabrera, out of spite, locked her within the walls of Donnafugata, but thanks to her loyal servant, the queen was able to escape to Palermo and with the help of the King of Spain arrested Bernardo.
Another story was set in the late 19th century, when the Frenchman Gaetano Lestrade, during his visit to the castle, fell in love with the niece of the then owner of Donnafugat, Baron Corrado Arezzo. A girl named Clementine reciprocated, and one day the couple fled. The enraged Baron did his best to catch the fugitive before she sailed to France. Fortunately, in the end everything was resolved safely, and soon the wedding bells sounded for the young people - Clementine and Gaetano lived happily ever after. Their daughter Clara married Count Testasecca, and in turn, Clara's son Gaetano Jr. was the last owner of the castle before he became the property of the commune.
The wealthy Baron Corrado Arezzo was very resourceful and loved to entertain guests. Traces of this can still be seen in the castle with its stone labyrinth in a spacious park, colorful butterflies painted on a mirror in the main hall and a pavilion in the garden. The castle consists of 144 luxuriously furnished rooms, but not all of them are open to tourists. The main hall with its coats of arms is reminiscent of the times of the knights, the bishop's quarters are replete with decorations, and each guest bedroom is furnished in its own style. Each room has at least two entrances - one for the owners, the other for the staff.
