I've never been a comfortable vacation type. But this time I needed something different in my life. A refuge. So, pushed by a Sicilian friend, I ended up here, a few kilometers from Piazza Armerina, immersed in the rugged and beautiful countryside of the Sicilian hinterland. The mansion had been described to me as “a dream of stone”, and when I walked through the iron gate, I realized it was no exaggeration. The house, ancient but completely renovated, seems to emerge from the earth itself. It is built with light stone from the Aidone mountains, handmade, alive under the sun. As soon as I arrived, I was welcomed by a tidy and fragrant garden, with olive trees, ripe figs and smooth stone paths. But the heart of the outdoor space is undoubtedly the square barbecue: modern, elegant, with one side entirely dedicated to cooking pizzas. On the first evening, I lit a fire, mixed with local flour and baked my first pizza, watching the hills turn golden. The villa opens with a bright ground floor: a modern kitchen, where light enters slices from the windows, blends with a functional living room furnished with a large modular sofa. That's where I spent my evenings, reading, music and silence. There is also a basic bathroom and a practical storage room, where I have placed my backpack and hiking shoes. On the first floor, two bedrooms overlook small wrought-iron balconies, from which you can enjoy a different view every morning: light fog, sharp sun, wind in the leaves, and then... silence. Here too, a modern and well-kept bathroom, with simple but elegant finishes. The attic was a real surprise: a single large open space, naturally divided into two areas by a play of different heights. I chose the highest part to create a small photography studio, while in the lowest area I spread a carpet, placed pillows, books and a floor lamp. Exposed wooden beams are the only reference to tradition in an environment with an essential and contemporary taste. The secluded location is what makes this place truly special. Piazza Armerina is just a few minutes away by bicycle. There I walked through baroque alleys, tasted freshly stuffed cannoli and visited the famous Villa Romana del Casale, with its breathtaking mosaics. But every time, I couldn't wait to return to these hot, silent stones. When the sun goes down, the walls turn orange, and everything seems suspended. This villa is a place where the ancient stays outside, carved in stone, while the modern welcomes you inside with style and simplicity. It is the perfect balance between history and present, between roots and freedom. A place that speaks to you, observes you, protects you. Here, between stone and fire, I found something I had lost: time.
