![](https://www.keysofsicily.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/86c8a1ed3f6f2703ee3e074e34b7dde0a93990be-castello-di-donnafugata-jpg-4456-1648628700.jpeg)
Il castello di Donnafugata
Donnafugata Castle is a huge 19th-century noble residence commissioned by Baron Corrado Arezzi which displays 18th-century, neoclassical and Gothic elements.
The Castle was built at the end of the 19th century and takes its name from a legendary story. In fact, it is said of a woman on the run, or the “fleeing woman”, specifically the White Queen of Navarre who, widowed, became the object of desire of the perfidious Count Cabrera. The man managed to capture her and imprison her in her castle from which she later escaped.
From the moment you arrive, the castle reveals its sumptuousness: the building covers an area of about 2500 square meters and a large neo-Gothic style façade, crowned by two lateral towers, welcomes visitors.
In the lower part of the façade there are two doors, above them a large balcony runs along the entire length of the façade interspersed with round arched doors in the Gothic style, alongside them sculptures of female figures are sheltered in small niches. On the right side a stairway, introduced by two lions and concluded by two sphinxes, allows you to climb the balcony which is closed off at both ends by two turrets. Above, however, the most interesting part of the façade: a loggia with a double colonnade and Gothic-style arches.
The castle, divided over three floors, which has over 120 rooms, is a succession of sumptuous halls where one can still breathe the atmosphere of the Sicilian aristocracy of the late nineteenth century, passing from the music room furnished with pianos, to the art gallery, from the mirrors to that of the coats of arms in which there are the coats of arms of the noble Sicilian families who have inspired numerous directors over the years: from the famous film “The Leopard”, to more recently it has become the setting for the home of a mafioso in the series inspired by the books of Camilleri, “Inspector Montalbano”.
![](https://www.keysofsicily.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/MG_3394-1024x683.jpg)
Outside the castle there is a wonderful 8-hectare garden with over 1500 Mediterranean and exotic species that cover a vast area full of surprises: a small circular temple, artificial caves with fake stalactites and a large labyrinth with dry stone walls.
The Donnafugata Castle is one of the Sicilian tourist destinations most chosen by travellers, absolutely not to be missed throughout the year. Good walk!
![](https://www.keysofsicily.it/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/MG_3111-HDR.jpg)