Donnafugata Castle — Attraction in Ragusa

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...

The Donnafugata Castle, located near Ragusa in Sicily, is an architectural jewel that enchants with its elegance and historical charm. Despite the name, which in Italian means "woman in flight", the castle has no ties with stories of women fleeing, but probably derives from an Arabic expression "Ayn as Jafat" (Source of Health) that was then distorted in the local dialect.

Built in the 14th century, the castle is a mix of different architectural styles, reflecting the various periods of its long history. The neo-Gothic facade of the castle, with its elegant mullioned windows, contrasts with the interiors, which are a mix of styles, from neoclassical to baroque.

The castle is surrounded by a vast park, rich in exotic plants, statues and characteristic artificial caves. One of the highlights of the park is the hedge maze, where visitors can lose and find themselves while exploring.

Inside, the castle is equally impressive. Each room is a work of art, with detailed frescoes, period furniture and art objects that tell the story of its past inhabitants. Among the most notable rooms are the Coat of Arms Room, the Mirror Room and the Billiard Room.

In conclusion, a visit to the Donnafugata Castle offers a fascinating journey through the history, art and culture of Sicily. With its architectural beauty and its splendid gardens, it is a place that leaves a lasting impression on all...

Wonderful place where you can easily spend the whole day, especially if you have kids. Both the neo-gothical castle and the surrounding areas offer various activities and things to see and learn. Part of the ground floor of the castle is dedicated to a fashion exposition that has many original historic garments and dresses on display. Its well worth visiting if only from the historical perspective. The self-guided tour of the castle itself will take you through many different rooms containing various pieces of vintage furniture and decorations. Some of the rooms are nicely restored, but some are in dire need of maintenance. Afterwards, we were directed to visit the vast castle gardens, which are beautiful and well maintained and feature interesting structures, like the intricate labyrinth. In addition, a small cafe/souvenir shop is located directly in the castle, while a couple of restaurants and a gelateria can be found just at the entrance to the castle. However, we didn't visit either of them. There is also a small cattle farm and even a tiny playground behind the restaurants. If arriving by car, you can park for free on the access road, but you stand a better chance to park on the paid parking for €2.50/day per vehicle. Overall, we enjoyed the visit to the Donnafugata cadtle and definitely recommend this place if you are...