Donnafugata Castle

This incredibly well preserved castle is a hidden gem in the heart of southern Sicily.

The castle is actually a compound structure consisting of an earlier moorish/norman castle and a later idealized palace constructed in the 1800s for the ruling aristocracy of Sicily.

What's good:

+The state of preservation +display signs are dual language +The cost of admission (6€ for the castle and grounds, 5€ for the museum) +The view from the terrace is amazing +the grounds are beautiful and expansive +the original furniture (its eye opening to compare what was considered high end then to what we have now) +the stone maze was great for the kids (the walls between 5.5 feet and 6 feet tall) it has a single entrance/exit and you go to the middle. You go back out the way you came it) +the old growth trees are great for climbing. +the restaurant just before you enter is some of the best pasta we had in our 2.5 years in Italy. If its busy, make a reservation on your way up to the castle. +parking is plentiful and cheap at 2€

What's not so great -the drive. There is no convenient way to get there from anywhere you are likely to stay. But it is a really pretty drive through parts of the countryside you wont normally get to see.

Overall, this castle was well worth the trip out to see it. It's about a 2 hour drive from Catania if you go slow and is substantially less if you pick up the pace a little. The attendants speak some English if you need a little help; but, as always, try to start with Italian first if you can. If you get there early, you will need to pay for parking on the way out. Exact change is expected and appreciated.