Dimora delle Balze Noto

Bought in September 2009, Dimora delle Balze is a nineteenth-century estate in which time doesn’t seem to have passed. The walls, the floors and the ceilings tell fascinating stories filled with a Mediterranean scent, eager to be listened to.

The estate has a big quadrangular courtyard which, on its left side, is overlooked by the rooms formerly destined to the farmer’s dwelling, to the storage, and to the stables. In the right wing, instead, an ancient gate leads to the manor-house.

The interior is composed of a large number of rooms, where there are authentic and suggestive Rinascimento frescoes, brought back to their original splendour.

Last but not least, the Manor Garden, formerly enhanced by stone benches, today hosting the remains of the pre-existing classical columns and terraces, set up with armchairs and custom-made design objects.

Through a preservative restoration characterised by a detailed research of unique objects, vintage and design elements, the fascination of the Mediterranean past is passed down.

The estate extends to about 25 hectares, cultivable for the most part and 100% Bio certified. Inside it and in the many adjoining areas, ancient caves can be seen. In addition, the estate is situated between the extraordinary beauty of Noto and the ancient city of Siracusa.

It is the attention to details that makes this place so magical; this is possible thanks to the cooperation between the owner Elena Lops and the designers Draga Obradovic and Stefano Guidotti.

The magic released by this place makes it the ideal location not only for wedding ceremonies, but also for private events, exhibitions, vernissages, events which could be hosted both in the internal salons of the main building and outdoors.

ROOMS
The Dimora is composed of 11 rooms of different sizes, from 20 to 45 square metres, each with different colours and designs, specifically designed for them. Each room has its own concept and a story to tell.

The names chosen for the rooms refer to Sicilian works and artists, from cinema to art, from poetry to opera. In this way, the property wanted to pay homage to the extraordinary performers who made the name of this wonderful region great all over the world.

As to the floors, handmade cementines from Morocco have been designed in different forms and Mediterranean colours, such as mid-blue grey and the shades of green.

Seven rooms are situated in the central court and each of them has a terrace, from which you can overlook the first court, and you have the possibility to interact with the other estate guests, as if you were in an ancient village.

Inside the Dimora we find two special rooms: one is situated in the manger, while the other is set on the little tower from which you can see Viale dei Carrubi, the Valley and the swimming pool.

In the manor house there are four rooms with original ceilings and elegant furniture, all of them with a beautiful view of the valley, while two of them have a private terrace, an intimate area with a view of the nearby wood.

Inside these scenographic residences you can breathe the atmosphere of the local workshops and of the manufacturer productions of the place, that in a blend of elegance and welcoming give a sense of belonging and family.

EVA (GIOVANNI VERGA)
“You need to dream to achieve glory and money; I have nothing but my youth, and I need to take advantage from it…”.

With his novel Eva, Giovanni Verga denounces the inability of the public to understand the refinement and the delicacy of art, and it does so by narrating the short passion between the painter Enrico Lanti and the lively dancer Eva.

The room which carries the name of this work is situated in front of the manger and it has a surface of 35 square metres.

POESIE (SALVATORE QUASIMODO)
The hermetic poet Salvatore Quasimodo was born in Modica in 1901. He soon left Sicily and it seems that it was the distance from home who brought him to dedicate himself to writing. In his numerous poems, the Island becomes the symbol of lost happiness.

The difficult estrangement, however, also allowed him to become a part of one of the most exclusive circle of artists and writers, among which there was Eugenio Montale.

In 1959 he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature. The room Poesie, with a view of the court, has an adjacent terrace and it is 35 squared metres wide.

LA SCONOSCIUTA (GIUSEPPE TORNATORE)
La Sconosciuta is a 2006 film by Giuseppe Tornatore. The moving story of Irena reveals the terrible destiny of some eastern Europe girls, exploited in order to give their children up for adoption.

The result of the work of the master from Bagheria is a story of an incredible fortitude, of affection and courage. Situated on the main court, the room La Sconosciuta is 35 square metres wide and it has a small terrace.

EXPERIENCE
The unforgettable moments need to be kept for saving precious memories. So Dimora delle Balze teaches to our guests the best skills in order to learn in a weekend the principal techniques of photography and other Arts.

The Academies mean much more… Who appreciates the traditional Cuisine will experience Cooking and Pastries Classes. Enjoy your passions!

SEA
Dimora delle Balze lies in an “harsh land surrounded by the immense and jealous sea”. Our guests will have the opportunity to reach the most beautiful beaches around 30 minutes far, such as Fontane Bianche, with wild cliffs and white sandy beaches. Do not miss the Vendicari Reserve: over 7 km of coast rewarded with 4 Blue Sails!

SPA / RELAX
An unforgettable vacation means also “relax”. Dimora delle Balze offers to our guests a fitness area near the swimming pool and on request a wellness program which includes SPA and regenerative activities.

Our swimming pool has been made with salt water for the extraordinary effects on the skin and to eliminate any kind of contact with the chemicals typical of the “chlorine” swimming pools.

ART
Dimora is surrounded by the wonderful places of art. Our reception is at your complete disposal to organize excursions to the ancient cities of Noto, Syracuse and Ragusa Ibla, relying on expert local guides and trusted transfer services, to reach these places full of charm and history. and enjoy the view of the ancient Baroque and Renaissance buildings.

EVENTS
Have you ever thought of living inside a film? We hope so, since our imagination has no boundaries; your wedding, your birthday or any other event you would like to share will be organised like a fairytale.

Dimora delle Balze is a magical place with a great evocative power, the estate is situated between two of the most attractive Sicilian cities: Noto and Siracusa.
The owner, Elena Lops, is specialised in author scenic designs and together with her coworkers, she tries to satisfy every kind of request.

With its 27 hectares of extension, Dimora delle Balze is the perfect location to host events specially created for our clients, the spaces for the events are comfortable and refined, with the possibility to choose between the many internal courts, the gardens, the swimming pool area and the lemon orchard.

This place was created with care and attention and in the same way our staff will take care of the people who live there. Dimora delle Balze and its staff will make your dream come true, a unique moment that you and your guests will always remember.

WEDDING
The wedding is the dream of every lovers. Here you can organize a magical event, between the scent of the Sicilian fruits. You can stay near the swimming pool with your family or in the Courtyard during the Summer. You can even enjoy the warm of the lounges during the Winter. Let your dream comes true!

SET DESIGN
“Dimora delle Balze is a place where hearten the soul, where I would like to make happy all the people who have the opportunity to spend some days in”.

The idea that inspires Dimora delle Balze’s set design is the research for harmony between the magic of the estate and the desires of those who choose it as a big day framework.

The meticulous care of details, from the definition of a color palette to the development of a thematic concept, makes Dimora delle Balze a location where creativity, excellence and elegance are blended creating an atmosphere as a great film set.

The spectacular farm from the 1800s, located on the hills between Noto and Palazzolo Acreide, allows to set up large spaces, both inside and outside, for every occasion.

PRIVATE PARTY
A Private event at Dimora delle Balze is an unique event, tailored to our guests. There are 120 seats in the lounges and 300 seats in the external area near the swimming pool.

It is the perfect location for theme parties, corporate events, birthdays, anniversaries and for any special moment that you will remember for the entire life.

SPECIAL PROJECTS
Special projects is the section in which Dimora delle Balze commits itself promoting the cultural vision that has guided the recovery of the estate, developing initiatives that may live by themselves.

Dimora delle Balze has the ambitious aim of presenting itself as ideas and project gather to promote and make culture, becoming in this manner a place where built valuable experiences creating moments of meeting and trustful relationships.

Day after day Dimora Delle Balze will commit to plan and support an artistic project that narrates Sicily and its tradition, with a language that crosses the borders of “picture-perfect tourism” and that expresses itself by promoting the contamination with the territory , the research of the local authenticity and respect for Nature.

The first project born within this commitment consists of a series of workshops, where guests will be accompanied in a unique reality and will live them personally.

We believe also that cross the thresholds of other cities and other projects bring growth and wealth: so during the design week part of Dimora delle Balze’s staff will move to Milan to follow the design week, where the careful attention of the estate will select best moment to share.

CULINARY LAB
Curiosity, exploration, passion and attention to raw materials, these are the keywords to involve our guests in a fascinating journey towards taste, a complete immersion in the flavors of Sicily.

With the culinary lab of the Chef Solaika Marrocco, Dimora delle Balze offers to its guests the opportunity to learn the secrets of the newly elected Emerging Chef 2020, where tradition and innovation come together in an overwhelming combination.

The culinary laboratory will last for three days, from 8th to 10th of May 2020. The Chef Marrocco will offer our guests the unique chance to experience the culinary culture of the island and a complimentary dinner that will be offered by the property, where the protagonists of the dishes will be the products directly coming from the organic garden of our estate.

During the cooking class, the guests will experience firsthand the recipes of some Sicilian specialties, revisited in a contemporary key by the chef Marrocco, with elements borrowed from other regional traditions.

I am very respectful of the very essence of raw materials, the exaltation of the characteristics of the food is the foundation of everything for me. Through this, I manage to build harmony and balance in my dishes.

My cuisine is emotion and story: I create without limits, but certainly starting from flavors, gestures and rituals that I know since I was a child.

Rooms: 11

Price: from 399 EUR per night

Source: www.dimoradellebalze.com