Casa La Chiocciolina

Sleek Snail

A stone and concrete standout on a hill overlooking the beautiful Baroque city of Noto, this architect-designed outpost follows the landscape’s sinuous lines and is named for the curving qualities of a snail. The locally-quarried sandstone mass features sanded concrete floors, rough plastered interior walls, bright pop art, and ultra-contemporary accents, like the Focus brand periscope fireplace and a fire-engine red infinity pool, with a crenellated, fortress-like viewpoint overlooking Noto.

Down a long private driveway lined with olive and almond trees, this spacious architectural villa overlooks Noto from a dramatic, stone wall-bordered embankment. Designed by Belgian architect owners who relied on Sicilian craftsmen to create the sleek space, the massive golden sandstone structure is a study of contemporary design, all bold angles and strong, curving lines. Big windowed facades angle across the elevated lot, an interior sandstone wall arches across the living area, and lipstick red décor accents pop off matte grey plasters and concrete ceilings. Furnishings are funky and designer-quality, with fixtures in interesting forms and colors to offset the minimalist layout.

AROUND

In southeast Sicily, only a few kilometers from the house, Noto defines Sicilian Baroque. Built in the 1700s, the small town is big on lauds and honors. It’s got UNESCO World Heritage status, churches, theaters and palaces galore, and it hosts a long-standing annual flower festival, the Infiorata di Noto, that transforms the small city into a fairy tale of architectural grandeur lined by streets carpeted in flowers. Take a walking tour of the stately city and note of all its Baroque curiosities—gargoyles and curlicues, cherubs and grotesque visages, regal balconies and swirling, winding, carved stone balustrades. Grab a granita from one of the town’s many cafes and chic taverns, and check out the Fountain of Hercules across from the majestic Church of San Domenico. Admire the noble palaces such as the Palazzo Trigona Cannicarao, the Palazzo Castelluccio, the Palazzo Nicolaci and the Palazzo Astuto, and window shop along Corso Vittorio Emanuele between the Porta Reale and three church-anchored piazzas. Noto’s cathedral is a superstar, a much photographed and cinematic structure that starred in the 1960 film L’Aventurra and more recently made an appearance in White Lotus, Season 2. 

Dozens of beaches, from the pebbly to the sandy, extend along the coast of Noto. The Ionian Sea is a 15-minute drive from the home, as is the beautiful Vendicari Nature Reserve with its beautiful secluded beaches. Other Baroque towns are situated within 30 minutes of the home, including Modica, Siracusa, and Ragusa. The adorable fishing port of Marzamemi is a quick drive away, and there’s a wine route worth visiting inland.

LOCATION

Noto, Sicily, Italy. Nearest airport: Catania (1 hour)

BEST TIME TO VISIT: May to October