The home

Splendid contemporary architecture project by the Sicilian architect Maria Giuseppina Grasso Cannizzo, la melagrana, nestled in the countryside just a few kilometers from Noto, blends in perfectly with the surrounding landscape thanks to its essential and subtle forms.
The home, characterized by large windows, allows guests a vast view upon the countryside and the natural reserve of Vendicari, as your gaze crosses, one after the other, fields of olive and almond trees and citrus orchards, all the way to the sea. The interiors are detailed, characterized by vintage design furnishings alongside contemporary and custom-made pieces.
The home consists of a stationary body (the owner’s home) and a mobile one (intended for guests), which runs along tracks anchored to the load-bearing structure of the terrace. When closed, it acts as an anti-intrusion barrier; while once opened, it leaves room for a spacious terrace overlooking the countryside and the sea.
The large covered terrace, which is the main feature of the building, protrudes into the park whereas, outside the home, the former barnyard, now equipped with lounge chairs and table, allows pleasant moments of relaxation in the shade. Ventilation inside the home is guaranteed by opposing apertures, while the mobile section is air-conditioned.
la melagrana is an ideal place for those longing to combine a vacation in nature, near the sea, with the chance to visit baroque art sites of extraordinary elegance. In fact, it is only 5 km from the city of Noto and 15 minutes from the golden beaches at the natural reserve of Vendicari.

awards: RIBA Awards 2012, UK | special mention European Union Prize for Contemporary Architecture – Mies van der Rohe Award 2013

exhibitions: “Loose Ends”, aut. architektur und tirol, Innsbruck, 2014 | “Reporting from the Front”, Architecture Biennale 2016, Venice | Collezione MAXXI, “The Place to Be”, MAXXI, Roma, 2017-2018

details: 3 master bedrooms, one of which can be converted into a double-bedroom (6 sleeping accommodations) | 2 baths/showers | large living room with kitchen unit, adjacent spacious covered terrace | pantry | washing room | utility room | outside the home, equipped former barnyard in ancient stone, circa 60 sq m

NB Attention! The terrace (see photos) is, by project, without a railing. The house is suitable for children older than 8 years.
NB The final 500 meters of the road leading to the house is in dirt.

Nearby

You’ll find yourself nestled in the Val di Noto, one of the most spectacular baroque art sites in Sicily, and since 2002 listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Suggested visits to:

Noto
natural reserve of Vendicari
Modica
Scicli
Ragusa Ibla
Palazzolo Acreide
Siracusa

Prices

August:
2200 euro
high season (16–30 June/July/September/21 December–6 January):
2000 euro
mid season (April/May/1–15 June/October):
1800 euro
off season: (January/February/March/November/1–20 December):
1600 euro

NB discounts available for less than 6 guests

prices: per week, with water, electricity, gas included
payment: 50% upon booking, 50% balance upon arrival
final cleaning service: 80 euro
safety deposit: euro 250, against any possible damage during stay
arrival|departure: arrival Saturday between 14:00 and 18:00; departure Saturday by 11:30.
Other arrival/departure days are also possible
cancellation:
– More than 90 days from arrival date: 30% of total price
–  More than 30 days up to 90 days from arrival date: 60% of total price
–  30 days or less: 100% of total price

How to get here

From the Aeroporto Fontanarossa in Catania
Leave the airport and follow the signs for the freeway and Siracusa/Ragusa and then get on highway A18
_after ca. 90 km, take exit for Noto
_continue until a large roundabout: take the second exit: Rosolini
_head straight until a second roundabout: take the exit: Rosolini SS115
_head straight, always towards Rosolini/Ragusa
_after a few km, you’ll reach a T-shaped detour with, ahead, a power station
_take a left. You’re on SS 115
_keep on for a few kilometers. At a certain point, you’ll see in the distance a small group of homes, on the right side of the road on a small hill: “Oleificio Fonte Rosana”
_after the oil mill, at the end of a left-hand corner, take the paved road to the left which heads uphill into the countryside. There is a white signal “Country House Villadorata”
_THIS IS THE ROAD YOU NEED TO TAKE!
_head uphill a few meters, then a long downhill road begins
_after the downhill ride (ca. 700/800 meters), take a left hair-pin corner, head down another few meters and then you’ll reach a dirt road
_cross the small bridge with an iron cross bar which should be open during the day
_after this, head up and turn right
_keep along the dirt road for circa 500 meters
_you’ll find a final downhill road with street gutters
_at the bottom of the descent, take a left
_you’ll see an old home in ruins
_ride along side it, to your left
_right after you’ll find a closed cross bar
_this is where the melagrana property begins
_continue for few meters and YOU’VE ARRIVED!