News This Sicilian Castle From 'The Godfather' Just Hit the Market — Take a Peek Inside You can own a piece of Italian (and Hollywood) history. By Dobrina Zhekova Dobrina Zhekova Facebook Instagram Twitter Website Dobrina Zhekova discovered her passion for travel at age 17 after spending four days in a bus traveling 2,500 miles from her home country of Bulgaria all the way to Lisbon (the bus broke down in the middle of the night in Serbia, but she still enjoyed the trip). She moved to New York City in 2010, and after completing her M.A. in Journalism, she started working at Elle.com. She is now a freelance writer based in Alexandria, VA, and her writing has appeared on InStyle.com, Vogue.com, Departures.com, Elle.com, and Sunset.com among many others. She covers travel, design, architecture, art, and weddings. When she is not learning a new language (her latest obsession is Icelandic), she daydreams about traveling to remote islands. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines Published on January 9, 2022 Share Tweet Pin Email Francis Ford Coppola's The Godfather trilogy is arguably one of the most iconic and critically acclaimed pieces of cinematographic art ever made. And now, you can own the opulent Italian castle featured prominently in the franchise's third installment. Courtesy of Italy Sotheby’s International Realty Courtesy of Italy Sotheby’s International Realty The stunning property, known as the castle of the Pennisi Family of Floristella, spans a whopping 43,055 square feet and is truly fit for (Hollywood) royalty. The history of the grand estate dates back to the end of the 19th century when Baron Pennisi tapped Palermo architect Giuseppe Matricolo to build a villa for his extensive art collection. Courtesy of Italy Sotheby’s International Realty Courtesy of Italy Sotheby’s International Realty The result was an eclectic neo-Gothic property comprised of three two-story buildings and two towers. Courtesy of Italy Sotheby’s International Realty The structure's impressive portico opens to a stunning marble staircase with soaring ceilings and stone arched columns. Ogival arches and battlements add to the whimsical vibe of this unique property. Geometric patterns in gold and blue line the ceilings while Byzantine décor items and paintings by Paul Pennisi fill out the interiors. And speaking of the interiors, the castle has 22 bedrooms, eight full bathrooms, a wine cellar, an artist studio, a library, a small chapel (decorated with jaw-dropping frescos by Giuseppe Sciuti), and two large balconies overlooking a lush 2.1-acre park. Courtesy of Italy Sotheby’s International Realty "It is a property that expresses a strong character and enjoys enormous potential, for its history, its location, its architecture and its spaces," Diletta Giorgolo, head of real estate company Residential Italy wrote in an email. "Once restored, it can adapt to different needs and contemporary tastes without changing the original structure." Courtesy of Italy Sotheby’s International Realty The 140-year-old property miraculously survived the devastating 1908 earthquake that shook southern Italy and destroyed the Sicilian city of Messina. During the Second World War, the British Army bombed Acireale, the small coastal town where the castle is located, but once again, the property didn't suffer any damages. The picturesque town is home to many historic landmarks, including the oldest art academy in Sicily, and overlooks the Ionian Sea. The castle of the Pennisi Family of Floristella comes with a $6.8 million price tag. We think it's time you start living out your wildest La Dolce Vita dreams. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit