Donnafugata is a 19th-century neo-Gothic castle set in the flat farmland 15 km south of Ragusa, worth a half-day trip from the city. The name — "fugitive woman" in Sicilian — comes from local legend about a queen imprisoned here, though the castle's romantic history is mostly invention; it was a summer retreat for the aristocratic Arezzo family.
The castle is now open to the public and has some 122 rooms, of which around 25 can be visited. The interiors are beautifully preserved with original furniture, frescoed ceilings, and an atmospheric billiard room. The surrounding gardens include a hedge maze and several pavilions in various states of ruin. Filming locations for the TV series Inspector Montalbano have included the castle. Allow 2–3 hours for the full visit including the grounds.