San Calogero is an ex-feud which can be found on the extreme outskirts of the ‘Ibleon’ plateau, looking out towards Mount Etna, north of Syracuse and in the centre of eastern Sicily.

Its scenery is characterised by valleys, which were excavated for centuries, in white stone and a river also called San Calogero. The fields at the bottom of the valley, rich in spring water, were once the only place where citrus plantations could be found. The plateau was instead used for a non-irrigated cultivation such as cereals and olive groves. Extra virgin olive oil and citrus fruits, from which marmalade and orange-blossom honey derive, are still the main produce today. The slopping land is used as pasture. It is rocky and barren in places but sometimes soft and part is even covered by a wood which is rich in Mediterranean essence.

In this area, apart from several tombs from the 10th-9th century B C, there is also a cave from the same period which was once a place of cult and which, in the Byzantine era, it appears that San Calogero was a guest there during his trip towards Sciacca. Due to this presumed visit by the saint, here on this land the toponym originated which appeared on the documents when Riccardo Passaneto, Count of Grassuliato, founded the abbey requested by the Knightly order of San Giacomo della Spada. There was also a castle which was part of this land, represented by the ‘Camilliani’ in the 16th century, but unfortunately today it is in ruins. In the 18th century, the abbey was granted in emphyteusis to the Gaetani, princes of Cassaro and marquis of Sortino, maternal ancester of the Matarazzo family to whom it came into the hands of in the middle of the 19th century.

The fortified farmhouse of the feud was immediately rebuilt following an earthquake in 1693 on the site of the ruins of the abbey from the 14th century, but it was already in poor condition at the beginning of the 19th century. Therefore it was restructured and the east wing was transformed into the master house. The rest of the building remained where it originally was, including a church, but other annexes were added giving the structure its actual suburban aspect. With the passing of time, the house is more and more inhabited, not only for administrative needs of the feud but also because it is chosen as the favourite holiday place for many of the family’s members. They reside here for long periods, each one undertaking their own pass-time: hunting, horse-riding or gardening.

The estate remained a hunting reserve up until the 70s, and is still home to the homonymous stud farm for ridden horses, one of the oldest that exists in Sicily. Today great areas are even accessible to guests. The once storehouse has now given way to an immense dining room, a library and a lounge with open-fire place, which face the fresh and shady arches of the old stables. The entire surrounding place has become a flourishing garden, and the character of a holiday place has taken hold. San Calogero is a peaceful place where the silence is only broken by the sound of running water from a fountain and the rustle of the wind through the trees.

The swimming pool is surrounded by dry-stone walls and it is possible to find an adjoining garden, rich in fragrance. Not far from here, thermal baths have been created: with a Turkish bath, sauna and Jacuzzi. The ex-farm worker’s houses have been transformed into twelve guest rooms with en-suites. Each one is comfortably equipped and furnished with antiques and each with its unique material and furnishing. From ten of the twelve rooms there is access to the main courtyard, onto which the lounges for guests also face. The other two guest rooms are situated near the swimming pool. Apart from an atmosphere of a Thousand and One Arabian Nights, our guests may also take advantage of impeccable service, considerable attention and excellent cuisine.