Olive groves, vineyards, citrus and almond trees line the sparsely populated Val di Noto in Sicily, which is known for its late Baroque towns, which have been declared a World Heritage Site, and its multifaceted nature. Casa Bendico is located on one of the characteristic hills, with panoramic views in all directions as far as the Ionian Sea. The contemporary architecture blends in beautifully with the rural landscape. The massive, mineral building was inspired by the cement-clad farms of the region and the archaic style of the Greek temples built on the island over 2000 years ago. A double shell of handcrafted concrete with red and brown pozzolana from Mount Etna creates a pleasant atmosphere as well as seismic stability and a comfortable indoor climate all year round.
Inside the house, where concrete dominates and panoramic views provide the focal point, there is a large living room and three bedrooms. All rooms in the ground-floor building have access to the outside. Maschrabiyya sliding doors made of wood offer privacy and create a play of light and shade.
The minimalist furnishings of the living room with open-plan kitchen, monumental dining table and sofa tables and the three double bedrooms are made of solid, untreated travertine from the Lazio quarries, with doors and wardrobes made of oak and colourful textile elements. In the cooler seasons, a fireplace and underfloor heating provide additional comfort.
The extension of the living and sleeping areas leads onto a long, wide south-east terrace with temple-like columns and an arbour roof made from local reeds. The entrance terrace with central olive tree, surrounded by wild flowers and aromatic plants, has an outdoor kitchen with sink and barbecue, while a second patio with shower and lemon trees acts as a natural extension of the two bathrooms.
The main house is complemented by an extension that can be used as a studio or guest room as required, and also features an outdoor area covered with reeds. In order to enjoy the spectacular 360° view of the landscape, the Monti Iblei and the sea, the swimming pool is located slightly away from the house – shaded by centuries-old olive trees.
What to do
Relaxing around the house, swimming in the pool, hiking and biking, cooking together, excursions to the sea with its varied beaches (from long sandy beaches to rocky bays), to the Vendicari nature reserve with its rich bird life and lagoons, to the eight baroque towns of Noto, Catania, Ragusa, Scicli, Modica, Caltagirone, Palazzolo Acreide and Militello in Val di Catania as well as to Syracuse with its Greek archaeological sites, museums and the 2600-year-old Temple of Athena
Why we like this house
Monumental architecture, interpreted in a contemporary, light, comfortable and sustainable way.
This house is great for
Families and friends who want to enjoy peace, nature and culture
Sustainability
A largely energy self-sufficient house with PV, hot water via solar panels, well system for ventilation, e-charging station in the pergola
Details
| Region | IT – Italy, Sicily, Noto |
| Name | Casa Bendico |
| Scenery | In a secluded location with sea views |
| Number of guests | Max. 8 in 4 double rooms |
| Completed | 2024 |
| Design | Gaetan Le Penhuel Architectes , Paris; Landscape design: Florence Guin, Les Mesnuls |
| Published | Elle Decor Italia (January 2025) , Abitare Magazine, The Plan, Ideat |
| Awards | AFEX Award 2025 (Special prize for interior architecture and design) |
| Architecture | Modern |
| Accomodation | Holiday home |
| Criteria | 1-8 (house/apartment), Beach, Family, Garden, Hiking, Island, Pool, Sea, Wine, EV-charging station |
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5 Comments
We consider ourselves lucky to have discovered this sanctuary in southern Europe and to have had the opportunity to spend quality time there. The property epitomizes the highest quality of architecture, design and materials, exuding simplicity, serenity, grandeur, and taste. The space is beautifully and thoughtfully laid out, offering ample room and exceptional comfort. The architecture of the house blends seamlessly with its expansive surroundings, providing stunning views, privacy, and comfort. We were extremely well taken care of by the owners and already look forward to our next stay there.
A heaven of peace with minimal design rooms and beautiful views. The house is very comfortable whether we were inside or outside, by the pool. Our host, Gianluca, was very kind, he made us feel at home.
The area around Noto is beautiful with so many things to do.
We stayed for 8 days and were upset we couldn’t book it for a longer period. We are looking forward to be back.
In June 2025, after a round trip around the island, we spent wonderful days at Casa Bendico as two families traveling together – and it exceeded all of our expectations.
The house is a masterpiece of minimalist architecture, radiating calm and clarity through its clean lines, natural materials, and thoughtful design. We especially appreciated the different atmospheres created by the entrance courtyard, the serene indoor spaces, and the inviting terrace – each area offering its own unique quality of rest and relaxation.
The surrounding landscape is beautiful and varied, making the house a perfect base for exploring both the cultural treasures of southeastern Sicily and its stunning coastline. The location also offers convenient access to Catania airport, which made our journey home smooth and easy.
Our hosts were exceptionally kind, attentive, and discreet – making sure everything was perfect while giving us all the privacy we needed. Their care and hospitality added greatly to our experience.
This home is a true gem, full of character and peace. We left feeling inspired, rested, and full of gratitude. Highly recommended.
We had a fantastic stay at casa Bendico in May 2025. Every detail of the house is perfection. The sustainable, minimalist approach of the architecture, the materials chosen, it is harmony in every aspect. The location of the house with a breathtaking view, the surrounding gardens with a low intervention in the surrounding olive and almond trees and the wonderful pool.
The kitchen is perfectly equipped and provides a beautiful space to come together with friends and family.
Our hosts have been incredibly supportive and friendly providing us with all need to knows around the house and Noto.
We enjoyed the place so much and will come back for sure.
We had a wonderful holiday in this gorgeous house in a quiet location 4 km from the historical city of Noto. The owners, a publisher and an architect, have gone through great effort to make it a beautiful and serene home where you have complete privacy indoors and outdoors. The rooms are very spacious, with high ceilings and there are several outdoor spaces for different times of the day and year. You seamlessly move from inside to outside and back.
The walls of the house are made of a double shell of concrete made with volcanic ash from Etna, so the concrete is exposed inside and outside, keeping the house naturally cool in summer.
The swimming pool is set back from the house, overlooking the horizon, the sea and the beautiful Capo Passero.
The house is perfectly located for a mix of culture and beach. It is 9km from the beautiful Marianelli beach in a nature reserve. The beach season extends from May to October and beyond. The baroque cities of Ragusa and Modica are 40 minutes away. It is also easy to visit the ancient city of Siracusa on the way from Catania airport.
This refined home is the perfect place to explore this part of Sicily.