Noto, Syracuse, Sicily, Italy

There are homes that tell the story of a place and of the people who chose it. This property, set in the countryside of Contrada Maccari, unquestionably belongs to that category.

The soil, an almost dazzling white, reflects the morning light and guides the eye among olive trees, almond trees, and Mediterranean scrub. It is a landscape that for generations has produced some of the island's most precious treasures: great wines, extra-virgin olive oil, and the famous Sicilian almonds.

The authenticity of the house is enhanced by its south-facing exposure, designed to follow the natural rhythm of light. In the morning, seated on the veranda, the sun filters through the almond branches, casting light shadows on the floor. At sunset, the olive trees soften the sun's golden light, giving the outdoor spaces an intimate and relaxing atmosphere.

Around the house, nature grows spontaneously. Wild fennel intertwines with rosemary bushes, while large agaves punctuate the landscape with their sculptural presence. At the entrance, jasmine envelops the veranda with its fragrance during the fair season, and caper plants, shy among the rocks, surprise with the delicate flowering that accompanies the hottest months.

Every construction detail has been chosen with care and in respect of Sicilian tradition; in fact, the house was built on the foundations of an ancient rural dwelling, faithfully preserving its original footprint. The roof is made with original terracotta tiles, and the gutters were also made in the same material, recovering ancient building know-how. Behind this traditional image, however, lies a perfectly insulated building designed to ensure high standards of comfort throughout the year.

Welcoming guests is a large wooden veranda, the true heart of outdoor living, from which one can enjoy the continuous dialogue between the house and the Mediterranean garden, between morning and twilight, between spring and its autumn.

The interiors reflect the same design philosophy. The floors of the main rooms are made of white Modica stone, chosen for its timeless elegance and for its ability to naturally keep rooms cool. In the bathrooms, dark stone introduces a refined chromatic contrast, enhancing the material character of the house with a material deeply linked to Sicily's volcanic history.

The kitchen is one of the most fascinating rooms of the property. The worktop is made of lava stone, while the entire wall is clad in a precious composition of antique cement tiles recovered from Sicilian buildings from different eras. Each tile tells a story and, placed alongside the others with great chromatic sensitivity, creates a unique whole that transforms the kitchen into a space rich in character.

The same cement tiles also embellish the veranda, creating a refined dialogue between indoors and outdoors and helping to give the house an authentic and unrepeatable identity.

The shutters, handcrafted in solid wood and painted in a delicate shade of light blue, are one of the property's most distinctive details. Their color recalls the clear sky and the nearby sea, creating an elegant contrast with the white stone and the warm tones of terracotta.

Two spacious bedrooms, one of which has an en-suite bathroom, complete the ground floor. The master bedroom overlooks the olive grove, making it almost impossible to leave. Be ready for an addictive experience of Sicilian Zen.

A staircase leads to the sleeping area on the upper floor. Here the spaces are arranged around an evocative mezzanine made with ancient wooden beams recovered from riverbeds and steel structures, evidence of a design that can combine tradition and contemporaneity.

The entire floor is covered with a light wood floor that enhances the natural brightness of the rooms and provides a pleasant sense of continuity. The wardrobes, designed and made to measure, integrate perfectly into the architecture of the house, enhancing every space with discretion.

The sleeping area includes two bedrooms and a bathroom with shower. Here too the architectural language remains consistent with the rest of the property: clean lines, natural materials, and carefully studied details to create elegant yet never ostentatious rooms.

All windows are fitted with mosquito screens, allowing the rooms to remain constantly ventilated and to enjoy the natural countryside breeze even during summer evenings.

Each room has its own independent air-conditioning system, allowing heating and cooling to be adjusted independently, ensuring maximum comfort and efficient energy use. In winter, heating is provided by efficient underfloor heating, or a functional wood-burning stove.

Completing the property's amenities is a volumetric alarm system, discreetly integrated into the home, which guarantees high security standards and allows you to live in the house with complete peace of mind, both during your stay and during periods of absence.

It will be possible to build a swimming pool among the olive trees of at least 8 meters x 4.
Contrada Maccari is one of the most authentic expressions of the coastal countryside of the Val di Noto. Here the landscape still preserves its original balance: wide stretches of olive groves, almond trees, vineyards and dry-stone walls alternate with Mediterranean scrub, creating a setting that tells of centuries of Sicilian agricultural culture.

The proximity to the sea is a constant presence, even when it is not immediately visible. The sea breeze reaches the countryside, moderating temperatures throughout the year and carrying in the air the scent of salt, wild herbs and Mediterranean vegetation.

A few minutes away is San Lorenzo, one of the most popular seaside resorts in south-eastern Sicily. Its long beaches of golden sand, interspersed with small coves and crystal-clear waters, are considered among the most beautiful on the island. Just beyond lies the Vendicari Nature Reserve, a protected area of extraordinary natural value, where dunes, lagoons, marshes and ancient tuna fisheries coexist with exceptionally rich wildlife, making the area a prime destination for nature lovers.