Restoring stone and silence: San Corrado di Noto and the rural Sicilian landscape

Nestled in citrus groves and olive trees, the resort maintains historic architecture and landscape, integrating energy-efficient design and local materials in its restoration

San Corrado di Noto: restoration, sustainability, and local integration in the Val di Noto

San Corrado di Noto opens the 2025 season with five new suites and renewed attention to environmental and architectural coherence. Located in Contrada Belludia, just outside the Baroque center of Noto, the resort is housed in a restored Eighteenth-century masseria once belonging to the Nicolaci family. A three-year restoration project converted the agricultural complex into a hospitality structure composed exclusively of suites and villas. The interventions preserved the original architectural forms, combining traditional rural typologies with contemporary spatial organization.

Cultural landscape and adaptive restoration

The estate is situated in the UNESCO-listed Val di Noto, among citrus groves and centuries-old olive trees. The restoration process focused on preserving the material identity of the original structures, using Modica and Noto stone, local marbles, and travertine processed by Sicilian artisans. The spatial layout maintains the masseria’s original proportions, avoiding vertical expansion or formal landscaping. The chapel, built in 1836, was conserved and reintegrated into the new environment without altering its structure. The restoration included the original roof, with wooden beams and a reed-and-plaster cover, the Caltagirone tile flooring, and a stone altar brought back to its original condition.

In 2020, the project received official environmental clearance through the Autorizzazione Unica Ambientale (A.U.A.), confirming the resort’s alignment with national regulations for water management and environmental sustainability. This certification allowed the reuse and controlled discharge of water resources in accordance with Italy’s integrated environmental framework.

The resort now includes thirty-one accommodations, with new additions designed to mirror the existing volumes. Two of the new suites have private pools and all include outdoor patios. The property also hosts eight private villas—four with one bedroom and four with two bedrooms—each with an independent entrance, pool, and patio. The location combines proximity to the city with agricultural seclusion, offering access to cultural sites and coastal areas without requiring extensive transfers.

Organic architecture and landscape continuity

The architectural approach followed the principles of organic architecture, prioritizing continuity with the existing built environment and the surrounding landscape. Restoration work avoided invasive interventions, focusing instead on adaptive reuse and integration. Vaulted ceilings, thick masonry walls, and the original planimetric distribution were preserved. Where new construction was required, it followed the rhythm and scale of the original masseria.

The design incorporated passive strategies for ventilation and thermal insulation. Thick stone walls provide thermal mass, while openings are positioned to encourage cross-ventilation. This reduces the reliance on mechanical systems for temperature control. Shading is achieved through architectural elements rather than applied screens, and the roofscape maintains its horizontal profile, avoiding interruptions to the visual continuity of the terrain.

Outdoor areas follow the site’s natural topography. Paths connect the different volumes without altering the contours of the land. Landscaping retains pre-existing vegetation and privileges native species to support biodiversity and reduce water consumption. The surrounding groves are maintained as productive landscapes, not decorative features. The integration between architecture and nature reflects a broader Sicilian ethic: to inhabit the land without overwhelming it.

Raw materials and architectural heritage

Construction materials were sourced primarily from the Sicilian territory and processed using artisanal techniques. The use of raw materials—Noto limestone, cocciopesto flooring, untreated wood, lime plasters—contributes to both the aesthetic and environmental goals of the project. Interiors follow a restrained material palette. Wood beams are left exposed, iron fittings are produced by local blacksmiths, and ceramic elements are handcrafted. Finishes are breathable, avoiding impermeable varnishes or industrial treatments.

All rooms and shared interiors use flooring made of solid teak or mahogany, bordered with travertine. Bathrooms feature large travertine slabs and, in some suites, monolithic bathtubs carved from a single block. Pergolas are constructed with wooden beams and covered with traditional Sicilian cane. Outdoor paving is entirely in natural Modica stone.

Two shared pools are on site: one—the Green Pool—finished with green Guatemala marble, the other—the One Hundred Blue Pool—tiled in deep blue ceramics. Private pools in selected suites also use Guatemala marble. Photovoltaic systems, hidden from guest areas, ensure a portion of the resort’s energy needs, in alignment with low-visibility sustainability practices.

Climate action solutions in Sicilian hospitality

San Corrado di Noto incorporates climate action solutions through infrastructural systems and daily operations. Energy is partially sourced through photovoltaic panels. An underground irrigation system distributes water efficiently, and rainwater is collected for landscaping. New 2025 accommodations use insulation and shading techniques to minimize heat gain. Green roofs are present on select volumes, and recessed windows offer passive shading.

LED lighting is managed through digital systems, and guest services exclude single-use plastics. Water-saving fixtures and dual flush systems are installed throughout. Maintenance products are biodegradable, and laundry is managed in-house to reduce emissions. Instead of offsetting mechanisms, the resort invests in internal efficiency and resource management.

The estate’s design and operations embrace not just environmental conservation, but a broader idea of environmental justice rooted in daily practice. From the positioning of windows to the reuse of stone and wood, each decision reflects a calibrated respect for land, light, and local culture.

Sustainable hotellerie and territorial integration

The resort positions itself within a model of sustainable hotellerie, combining architectural restoration with land preservation. The original masseria footprint was preserved, with no expansion into undeveloped areas. Off-site beach services use removable structures to comply with environmental standards and are reached via electric shuttles.

Landscaping retains the site’s agricultural character. Light pollution is minimized in outdoor areas. The pools address distinct guest needs: the Green Pool for calm use, and the One Hundred Blue Pool referencing ancient gymnasia. Seasonal food sourced from regional suppliers defines the culinary offer by Chef Martin Lazarov, who avoids air-freighted ingredients and emphasizes low-waste practices.

The project aligns with a broader vision for Sicilian tourism: not only offering hospitality, but sustaining the full landscape, agriculture, culture, nature chain. From grove to table, each element of the guest experience contributes to an integrated model of value creation and cultural preservation.

Human commitment and regional economies

The transformation of the estate into a resort reflected the values of Relais & Châteaux: promoting a more human world through local partnerships, sustainability, and cultural authenticity. As expressed in their mission, «experiences lived in a Relais & Châteaux must be a source not only of well-being but also of inspiration, so that anyone who comes into contact with them becomes the craftsman of a more human world».

Construction employed local artisans, ebanists, blacksmiths, and masons. Artisanal production and training programs in partnership with hospitality schools supported professional development. Services are not outsourced: housekeeping, maintenance, and kitchen staff are hired locally, extending employment beyond high season.

The pace of work followed the natural rhythms of the area, using no prefabricated modules and prioritizing reuse over demolition. This approach reflects the vision of the owner, Paolo Gionfriddo, who entrusted the renovation to a Sicilian construction company and local artisans, emphasizing a model of growth in harmony with the environment and regional culture.

The resort fosters long-term relationships across the local production chain—from food suppliers to furniture makers—ensuring that the value generated on site remains in the territory. The goal is for the project to become not only a destination but also a driver of territorial development and shared prosperity.

Sicilian topography as framework

San Corrado di Noto lies within reach of Noto, the Vendicari Reserve, and other landmarks, reducing the need for extensive guest transport. The site’s context—olive groves, citrus orchards, and coastal plains—defines the identity of the project. Architecture, material choices, and spatial layout follow the land’s natural topography and light.

The property remains permeable: no perimeter fences, accessible rural paths, and visible historical layers ensure that the connection between built form and landscape remains intact.

San Corrado di Noto

San Corrado di Noto is a restored Eighteenth-century masseria in southeastern Sicily, located near the Baroque town of Noto. Surrounded by olive groves and citrus orchards, the boutique resort offers suites and villas designed with local materials and traditional craftsmanship. It combines architectural preservation with sustainable practices and regional integration. The estate includes a spa, two pools, and a seasonal beach club.