Donnafugata - fairy-tale castle, is located 20 km from Ragusa in the midst of a fantastic landscape and surrounded by thickets of carob trees. The total area of ​​the estate is more than 2, 5 thousand sq.m. Sand-colored walls reflect the sun's rays, so that visitors have to squint to enjoy views of the castle. The refreshing scent of lavender wraps tourists and unwittingly drew their thoughts to the distant past ...

More than 700 years ago this place was built the tower, and then - a simple lock, and each subsequent owner left traces of their influence on the stately building. Knowing a few flashy and impulsive temperament Sicilians can wrongly assume that the name of the castle comes from the word "Donna" - a woman, and "of supernatant" - to escape. In fact, everything is much more prosaic: Near the castle is the source, whose Arabic name - "Ainasy-dzhafayat" - over time, was turned into Ronna Fuat, and later - in Donnafugata. However, this castle, like many others, have left a couple of heartbreaking love stories.

One of them talks about Bianca di Navarra, which after the death of her husband, Martin I, King of Sicily, came to the throne in 1410. After it began to look after an elderly gentleman from Ragusa Bernardo Cabrera, who dreamed to get power, and with it the young, beautiful wife. Bianca, however, remain indifferent to the suitor. In the end, in spite of Cabrera locked her in the walls of Donnafugata, but thanks to his faithful servant, the Queen was able to escape in Palermo and with the help of the King of Spain has arrested Bernardo.

Action another story unfolds in the late 19th century, when the French Gaetano Lestrade during his visit to the castle fell in love with the niece of the then owner of Donnafugata baron Corrado Arezzo. A girl named Clementine reciprocated, and one day the couple fled. Furious Baron made every effort to catch the fugitive before she sails on a ship to France. Fortunately, in the end, all was resolved safely, and soon died away for the young wedding bells - Clementine and Gaetano lived happily ever after. Their daughter Clara married Count Testasekka, and in turn, the son of Clara - Gaetano Jr. - was the last owner of the castle, before he became the property of the commune.

Rich Baron Corrado Arezzo was quite inventive and loved to entertain guests. Traces of this can be seen today in the castle with its stone labyrinth in a spacious park, colorful butterflies, painted on a mirror in the main hall and the pavilion in the garden. The castle consists of 144 luxuriously appointed rooms, but not all of them are open to tourists. The main hall, with its coat of arms reminiscent of the times of knights, the bishop's chambers ornaments abound, and each guest bedroom is furnished in its own style. Each room has at least two entrances - one for the home team, the second - for the staff.