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Lido Sovareto, Sciacca, Sicilia – Sicily
La Villa
“For years, while sailing back towards Sciacca’s port after spending the day fishing, I had been dreaming of building my house in Sovareto. I checked the site from the land and the sea. The winds, the sun exposure, the landscape, and the tranquility have been the predominant factors in choosing the place”.
This is the story I was told by the Villa's former owner and builder when my family and I purchased the property. He was a seaman, but also an enthusiastic archaeologist and antique dealer.
All these features emerge from the careful attention to details, both architectural and decorative. The house was built through different phases as if it had been developed following the needs that living there required.
Isn’t it odd, I wondered, that as a professional Architect I can be so fascinated and seduced by a building conceived, “at first glance”, without following any proper architectural design of continuity, enriched by countless “embellishments” bordering on kitsch, as to be willing to buy it? Was it maybe the spectacular garden, wild and full of rows of cypresses, pines, palms, olive trees, and even a banana tree, or perhaps the countless plants in the surroundings? Is it its “spontaneous” architecture that reminds of the Sicilian “baglio”, the traditional fortified farmhouse with spacious courtyard? Or rather the location, 33 m above sea level with the horizon expanding from left to right that, with its naturally bent silhouette, makes you wonder every day: “how far away am I”?
In details, the villa is a complex of architectural elements that comprise individual residential units, connected by large and small terraces facing the sun, and some sheltered corners to enjoy the fresh breeze coming from the sea. The sea and the beach are very close, just a 4-5 minute walk, and you are ready to dive.
The architectural renovation conducted by us, new owners and a family of architects (father, daughter and son), only affected the interiors. The house is divided into 4 living units, available for rent to guests who, we hope, will be able to understand and share the soul and spirit of this pleasant Mediterranean architectural mix.
Small and large terraces surround the villa and provide, together with the garden, a place to relax and enjoy the holiday, while the little ones are free to play and run up and down the paths.
A ping pong table and table soccer are available on the main terrace.
The main house frame is built in hollow-core concrete. The walls most exposed to the sun are covered with tufa blocks which create insulation and give the house a pleasant appearance.
The villa, whose individual units were built and assembled to meet the resident's needs, has a main unit overlooking the sea. The apartment on the ground floor features a spacious living area, a kitchen, two main bedrooms and a two bunk-bed bedroom, all equipped with en suite bathrooms.
A smaller apartment is located on the first floor. It offers a beautiful covered terrace, living room with kitchenette, two bedrooms and one bathroom.
Again on the ground floor, facing south west and overlooking the sea, there is a completely independent studio apartment featuring a living room/bedroom area plus a folding sofa bed, kitchenette and bathroom. The housekeeper’s apartment and a separate bedroom with en suite bathroom complete the residential unit.
An outdoor kitchen with barbecue, laundry room, and outdoor shower are those practical and functional comforts that make the holiday even more pleasant and relaxing.
The photographs reveal the careful choice of the furnishings such as ceramic vases, flower pots, and several collections of keys, locks etc. In a nutshell, it feels like being in a museum of refined ancient Sicilian items.
One bedroom on the ground floor contains an old alabaster bath tub, found in a dump and restored to make it fully functional.
The housekeeper, always available for any information or assistance, will also provide transfer to and from the airport if needed. The property is surrounded by a wall covered with blocks of rock. A private outdoor car park with 6 lots, protected by a canopy, is also available for our guests.
The beautiful Verdura Golf Club is located 10-minute drive on the road to Agrigento and the city of Sciacca 3 km to the west.
Silvio Bernardi
Architetti Bernardi – Cortina d’Ampezzo