Looking Around

Tenuta Borgia: Sicilian Beauty in the Countryside

Located in the Sicilian countryside, on the small volcanic island of Pantelleria, Tenuta Borgia is a stunning retreat designed to be in harmony with the surrounding nature. Composed of seven authentic Dammusi, the rural hideaway offers the exclusive pleasure of discovering Sicily at its best.

Tenuta Borgia is a charming retreat, hidden in the heart of Pantelleria Island – one of the most exotic islands of Sicily – that dominates the stunning coastline, stretching from the ancient village of Scauri and the majestic cliff of the Elephant. Rich with caves, lava sculptures and emerald coves, the island is a volcanic outcrop, originally named Bent-el-Riah (daughter of the wind in Arabic) for the year-round winds that blows on it.

Throughout the island it is possible to find unique dammusi: lava rock houses with thick, whitewashed walls and low domes, examples and witnesses of Sicilian heritage and history. Tenuta Borgia comprises these traditional pieces of Mediterranean architecture, preserving and restoring their aesthetic and creating a unique symbiosis between building and nature.

The property was restored in 1980s by Rosa Borgia Baroness Collice and her husband, who originally acquired the main house as their family home. Over the years, they decided to take care of the neighboring dammusi, to preserve the original distribution of the buildings and the surrounding nature.

The atmosphere at Tenuta Borgia is not like a hotel, as each construction is different and decorated with Sicilian antiques and décor to keep it one-of-a-kind and recall the vibes of a country house. Here you can truly feel the energy of the island, with its rocky shores and the luxury of unspoiled nature.

An ancestral charm imbues the atmosphere of Tenuta Borgia. Elegant yet rural, the look of the retreat is warm and exquisite, and each piece of furniture has been selected by Rosa Borgia. She also keeps a close eye on the activities at the farm, producing extra virgin olive oil and the famous Passito wine.

The Arabic-style gardens around the buildings recall the proximity of the island to Tunisia, also enjoying stunning sea views and lush Mediterranean vegetation. Spread across 12 hectares of orchards, vineyards, olive groves and majestic palm trees, the estate perfectly blend with the surrounding area.

Each dammuso has its own unique identity and staying there allows the guests to experience the feeling of being part of the ancestral culture of the island. Dammuso Grande is a true monument, furnished with antique and modern furniture, light sculptures of contemporary art and small intimate alcoves where to enjoy the peace of nature.

From the terrace, the view of an absolute sea that sometimes at sunset smells a little of Africa.