Dimora delle Balze is a 19th-century estate where time seems to have stood still. The property is located in Eastern Sicily, on the Iblei plateau, within a vast 27-hectare valley, most of which is arable land certified 100% organic, just a few kilometers from Palazzolo Acreide, a town in the Val di Noto recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. The estate is steeped in history: an ancient gate opens onto a garden featuring remnants of old architecture and benches placed beneath a pergola supported by restored classical columns, overlooking the valley and the Manghisi River.
Conceived as an ode to Sicilian culture, Dimora delle Balze celebrates the past, present, and future of this magnificent land. Initially imagined as a family retreat, the vision expanded in 2009 when the Lops family began collaborating with designers Stefano Guidotti and Draga Obradovic to revive the once-noble farmhouse and surrounding estate. Together, they carefully stripped away the layers of time to reveal the property’s original character, blending these discoveries with their unique contemporary design sensibility.
Occupying a wild expanse of lush land locally known as “il Passo Ladro,” the estate was built as a fortified complex, with high battlemented walls surrounding a central courtyard and an imposing tower at the entrance. Although the Zocco family primarily used it as a summer retreat, its construction was executed with meticulous care: fragrant gardens lined with Byzantine columns, decorated frescoes on high vaulted ceilings, and striking neoclassical details on the facades of the buildings.
Nestled among olive groves and the gentle hills of the Valle Iblea, Dimora delle Balze was built in 1886 by the noble Don Salvatore Zocco.
For decades, the surrounding estate served as farmland. While the wealthy family came and went throughout the year, the farmhouse was continuously inhabited by the farmers who worked the land, living in the rooms that today form the majority of the residences.
Request a Tailor-Made Experience: For a truly unique stay, contact us at info@dimoradellebalze.com; we will be delighted to create a fully personalized experience just for you.
