Big Square House

ABOUT THIS PROPERTY
In the heart of the central square, just a stone’s throw from a medieval castle, you’ll find CASA PIAZZA GRANDE in the historic centre of Pietraperzia—the perfect place for a holiday immersed in the Sicilian way of life. From the living room, you can enjoy and observe the hustle and bustle of the town’s central square. In 2017, the property was completely renovated and restored, preserving its original floors and some pieces of furniture. Pietraperzia serves as the starting point for all excursions on the island, as it is centrally located on the island and sits at the very heart of Sicily. We are in a strategic area of Sicily. Just a short walk away is the historic centre, featuring the ancient ruins of the Barresi-Branciforti Castle, along with a beautiful historic district rich in noble palaces and numerous churches. Places to visit: the Mother Church, where you can admire the splendid painting by Filippo Paladino, the Egyptian black-lacquered sarcophagus of Princess Dorotea Barresi, Viceroy of Spain, as well as several funerary monuments by Gaggini; the Church of the Rosary, the only church in the diocese with a Greek cross plan dating from before the 16th century; the Church of the Cateva, an ancient crypt of the old Mother Church dating back to the Greco-Byzantine period. In Piazza Matteotti stands the Dominican convent (now the Town Hall); In Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, overlooked by the terrace of Casa Piazza Grande, one can admire the palace of Princess Deliella (now the headquarters of the Cassa Rurale Toniolo), whose façade is the work of Basile, as well as the Franciscan convent and cloister. From the same terrace on Good Friday during Holy Week, you can admire the procession of “Lu Signuri di Li Fasci,” unique in Italy for its original composition; it exerts such a powerful allure that it has become a symbol of Pietraperzia and an intangible cultural heritage of the Region of Sicily.
Excursions
Just a short walk away, you can visit the Rocche archaeological site, which bears traces of human settlements dating from the Castelluccio period through the Byzantine era. The rocky ridge, pitted with prehistoric tombs and caves, features the “Occhio della Balena” (Whale’s Eye) at its summit—known as the “Solar Clock”—because on the day of the summer solstice, the sun’s rays penetrate it, creating a beam of light that sparkles like a diamond.
Mazzarino is located 21 km away, featuring its Roman-Byzantine Castle and one of Sicily’s most beautiful and interesting historic centers (known as “Little Noto”), while the Monte Capodarco and Southern Imera Valley Nature Reserve lies 5 km away; just 26 km away is Piazza Armerina—home to the Villa Romana del Casale, the greatest archaeological discovery of Roman Sicily, recognised by UNESCO since 1997; 26 km away Aidone is home to Morgantina, a 4th-century B.C. Greek city featuring one of the largest theatres, capable of seating five thousand spectators; 114 km away lies Cefalù, a picturesque fishing town; 65 km away is Caltagirone, the city of ceramics, featuring Sicily’s most famous staircase adorned with majolica tiles; 34 km.si s away is Enna, known as the “belvedere of Sicily,” with remarkable medieval and Baroque monuments; 41 km away is Calascibetta, with a typically medieval urban layout whose origins are linked to Roger. The Byzantine Village is a 6th-century Roman-Byzantine settlement and a treasure of early Christianity; 77 km away lies Sperlinga, whose defensive castle is an extremely rare example of a rock-cut castle with features unique in the world—a rock-cut village with houses carved into the rock; there are about fifty caves that were inhabited by the poorest families until 1960; 74 km away lies Agrigento with the Valley of the Temples, whose archaeological site is characterised by its exceptional state of preservation and a series of important Doric temples;. 84 km away is the Scala dei Turchi, a white cliff face that rises sheer above the sea; 97 km away is Torre Salsa, a nature reserve with one of Sicily’s most beautiful beaches; 46 km away is Manfria Beach; 55 km away is Gela, a Greek city with the Timoleontine Walls; 170 km away is Taormina, home to the Greco-Roman theatre, situated in an exceptional and unforgettable scenic setting; 90 km away is Catania, and 115 km away are Sicily’s capital (Palermo) and Monreale; 137 km away is Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano and an UNESCO World Heritage Site; Favara, with its Farm Cultural Park (a cultural centre for contemporary art), is 58 km away; Sicilia Outlet Village, a large shopping centre featuring outlet stores for designer clothing and footwear, is 54 km away.
Guest Access
The apartment is located on the ground floor of a historic building with an entrance on the ground floor, followed by a staircase leading to the upper floor, which includes: three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room, and a laundry room.
The bathrooms and kitchen have been completely renovated; the kitchen is well-equipped, allowing you to prepare any dish.
Where you’ll be
Pietraperzia, Sicily, Italy (EN).It is located at the foot of the medieval castle, rich in history and places to visit: the Pyramid, the King’s Throne, the Ancient Convent, several churches, and the Governor’s House. On Good Friday during Easter, it’s worth attending the festival of the Lord of the Swaddling Cloths.
How to get there
The drive from the airports and ports of Palermo or Catania takes about 1 hour. Once you arrive at the airport or port, take the A19 highway, continue towards Caltanissetta, and then towards Pietraperzia.
Where to eat:
“Bistrot Cinquantuno,” "Agriturismo La Fattoria di San Francesco," "Panificio Marotta," "Pizzeria Pietra in grani," "Pizzeria Charleston," "Pizzeria Barkollo ma non mollo," "Pizzeria Il Mediterraneo."