This Retreat stands at the meeting point of two realities, two different ways of living: at the same time modernity and tradition, nature and artifice, original structure and innovation.  Stones, tuff, lime plaster, clay tiles and wattle all belong to the ancient building techniques for roofs and vertical partitions. The architect uses traditional materials and shapes to interpret rural living in a contemporary way: the white and smooth surface of the plaster is the background to the texture of the stones, thus marrying the solidity of the ancient materials with the purity and regularity of lines and volumes, to arrive at an essential form in the attempt to give order and rigour to the rural landscape.

The elements in stone and white plaster identifies the entrances, links, doorsteps between the inside and the outside, dividing the space used for living from nature. The openings are created in order to maximise contact between man and the outside, focusing on teasing narrow views of the space outside and also large windows revealing the open countryside.  The fundamental vision of the project is the desire to bring back contact with the landscape and appropriate the view stretching to the still unviolated horizon.

There are two rooms looking on to the swimming pool and the olive trees, which have been conceived as a natural extension of the space outside. The eyes, soaking up the beauty of the landscape, are not distracted by the internal spaces. The original structure is enhanced by the simplicity and linearity of the furniture,  mainly white and in subdued shades of natural colours.

Each room features: independent access, bathroom and separate toilet, shower in the open, heating and air conditioning, iPod docking station, CD player, wireless internet connection, hairdryer, linen sheets and bath towels and cashmere blankets, face and body cleansers.

The garden and the swimming pool are for you. Sun loungers and deckchairs invite guests to relax and sunbathe. The days pass slowly: a bicycle ride, a walk amongst the trazzere (tracks) all around,  or a game of bowls.

One can also learn Sicilian cuisine or sit comfortably in the library reading one of the many books available or listening to music.

Everyone chooses his spot: a sofa, a seat on the terrace, a place in the shade, a beam of sunlight … and at sunset they all gather for an aperitif.

When you wake up your breakfast is already waiting for you. During the day one can have a snack for lunch or take a picnic basket, an aperitif beside the swimming pool and then dinner. This offers a choice of dishes, simple but prepared with great care, which change every day and combine Sicilian tradition with modernity.

Experience

Slow Living • Ragusa Countryside • Sicilian gastronomy