Donnafugata Castle (Castello di Donnafugata)
Contrada Donnafugata, Ragusa, Sicily, 97100
Just outside Ragusa in southeastern Sicily, the beautiful 14th-century Donnafugata Castle (Castello di Donnafugata) is one of the island’s most sumptuous treasures. Like many historic buildings in Sicily, the castle is a unique patchwork of architectural and artistic styles, including a Venetian Gothic facade and baroque interior.
The basics
Donnafugata translates to “fugitive woman,” but the castle’s name stems from an Arabic word, so there’s no dramatic backstory. The lavish interior halls, decorated with trompe l’oeil, include the Hall of Mirrors, smoking room, music room, and royal bedrooms. Originally a medieval watchtower, the castle was first expanded in the 17th century and subsequently renovated two centuries later by Corrado Arezzo de Spuches, Baron of Donnafugata, who used the palace as a country retreat. The castle’s Mediterranean gardens are also open to the public and host a neoclassical temple building.
Join a guided tour of the castle to appreciate its rich architecture and lavish gardens or opt for a tour that highlights filming locations featured in the Inspector Montalbano television series (Donnafugata Castle figures into the show as the residence of a mob boss).
Things to know before you go
- Architecture and garden lovers especially enjoy touring the castle and grounds; shutterbugs should bring a camera to capture the dramatic facade and interiors.
- There is a lot of ground to cover both inside and out when touring the castle, so wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
- The historic castle is partially accessible to wheelchair users; request additional information at the entrance.
How to get there
Donnafugata Castle is located in Donnafugata, nine miles (15 kilometers) outside of Ragusa. It's difficult to reach by train or bus; opt to drive or join a tour that includes transportation.
When to get there
To avoid the worst of the tour bus crowds, plan your visit to Castello di Donnafugata for the early morning or late afternoon. The castle and gardens are closed on Mondays.
Castello di Donnafugata on the silver screen
In addition to the Inspector Montalbano police drama television series, Donnafugata Castle has also appeared in the films Chaos and Il Racconto dei Racconti. However, it is not the castle of the same name from Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa’s novel, The Leopard.
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