To step barefoot onto the large slabs of grey Sicilian stone on the floors of the bathrooms of Palazzo Notar Nicchi, the home of The Sicilian House in Polizzi Generosa, is to feel the coolness and smoothness of stone taken from the depths of the Madonie Mountains.

A master stonemason works patiently

The stone was worked, in 2008, under the passionate eye of local stonemason, Giuseppe Gangelosi in the countryside outside Polizzi Generosa, just off the Scillato Road.

He worked solo for months in the shadows of the Madonie Mountains, cutting and honing the stone. He also perfected slabs of stone for window ledges, staircases, the fireplace and doorsills throughout the house.

The stone remains deep in the Madonie mountains

This stone is no longer allowed to be taken from the mountains of the Madonie National Park; quarries are now permanently closed. We were just lucky, eight or so years ago, to have heard of a local builder’s stockpile outside of Polizzi on the Scillato road.

To bathe in rooms of local stone

Each of the four bathrooms in Palazzo Notar Nicchi is tiled in this beautifully veined Madonie stone. It radiates tones of grey.

And, it is a pleasure to bathe in rooms finished in local stone, it is a reminder of the huge mountains which rise high behind Polizzi Generosa.

Salve,

Suzanne

A Note: If you would like to find out more about holidaying at Palazzo Notar Nicchi, exploring the Madonie Mountains and Polizzi Generosa select the tabs on our website.