We arrive after crossing stretches of dark volcanic soil, passing endless vineyards and hazelnut groves, skirting forests of pine, oak, chestnut, and beech trees, and small villages with low-roofed houses. The façade makes us wonder whether we have come to the right address, but the open doorway invites us in. A few steps to the left lead to what might resemble a reception area: an entrance with a desk connected directly to the kitchen. It soon becomes clear that at Palazzo Previtera nothing is quite as expected. Hidden among the streets of Linguaglossa, Palazzo Previtera is an hospitality project preserving a story that spans more than four centuries. It is the story of the Previtera family, who chose to open the doors of their historic residence and welcome travellers from near and far. Alfio proudly guides us through the frescoed and richly decorated salons on the upper floors. At the entrance, a small chapel awaits the prayers of new arrivals. We quietly follow our host, trying to grasp the logic of the rooms and quickly deciding what to admire each time we step into a new space: the wallpaper, a portrait, a stack of books, an old photograph. From the music room, a doorway leads to the garden. Spontaneous and layered, the greenery reveals ancient roses, Mediterranean plants, and countless corners designed for sitting and simply enjoying the beauty around us. Mount Etna appears behind a cloud or a rise in the landscape.
Alfio, an art historian and gallerist, has infused his grandparents’ home with a distinctive sensibility. Together with his mother, he chose to preserve the palace’s aesthetic as intact as possible, while introducing contemporary artworks by artists he represents. Some pieces are available for purchase; others belong to his personal collection. There are six rooms, accompanied by three independent cottages. Breakfast is served in the new bar, with many ingredients sourced directly from the estate’s farm and vineyard. Since 2025, the palazzo has also been home to a fine-dining restaurant, further confirming the project’s cultural vocation. Inside the art gallery, chef Kaita Osumimoto creates a tasting journey that interprets Sicilian ingredients through a contemporary lens. The menu is paired with a selection of natural wines from “friend” wineries, whose stories Alfio shares with us every time a bottle is opened. Outside, a group of children playing in the street brings back memories of our own provincial childhoods. They leave their bicycles leaning against the walls, chase one another, talk loudly, laugh, and disappear into a narrow alley. Palazzo Previtera is, above all, this: the chance to look out onto a fragment of the world that has become increasingly rare.
Words Laura Taccari, pictures Carlie Tasker, Riley Clements, Salvo Panebianco.
