Piazza Agostino Pennisi

Acireale, Catania, Italy

Built towards the end of the 19th century, the castle of the noble Pennisi di Floristella family is a fine example of eclecticism in the neo-Gothic style, characteristic of the architecture of the time. The main entrance opens onto an avenue surrounded by a double row of century-old palm trees, at the end of which stands, on a column, the marble bust of Baron Pennisi, to whom we owe the construction of the castle. The peculiar prospectus captures the attention for its beauty and its relevant architectural characteristics: the elegant draping of battlements on the top part and the pointed arches, typical of Gothic art, give it a fairy-tale image. The complex consists of three joint buildings on two levels, with two rectangular-plan towers in a symmetrical position. The elegant portico with three arches opens up access to the monumental marble staircase that leads to the first floor where, on the central wall, the authoritative portrait of the Baron stands out. The ceiling of the staircase is coffered in wood embellished by the alternation of the initial of the surname of the family and the noble coat of arms. Large halls with high ceilings follow each other up to the opposite ends facing the two terraces of 130m2. An imposing fireplace dominates the reception hall, illuminated by five large mullioned windows decorated with columns, which open onto the park of approx. 8500. The imposing manor holds inside a chapel of particular architectural value dedicated to the Baptist, embellished with frescoes by Giuseppe Sciuti. The castle was chosen as the location for well-known films such as 'A beautiful November' by Mauro Bolognini, played by Gina Lollobrigida and 'The Godfather III' by Francis Ford Coppola, played by Al Pacino. During the Second World War the castle was requisitioned by the German army which used it as a logistics and representation base. Located in Acireale, a town included in the Unesco list thanks to its splendid Baroque, the property is located in a strategic position between the sea and the mountains, suitable to become a charming hotel de charme or an exclusive private residence. It is almost 18 km from Catania airport and 42 km from Taormina.