Overview
Until 1980 Sant'Anastasia Relais had been a former Benedictine Abbey, founded in 1100 by the Great Norman Count Roger d'Hauteville, conqueror of Sicily in 1092 and later invested with the mission of strengthening the power of Catholic Church on the island by Pope Urban 2nd. Until then, Sicily had been ruled by a few generations of Caliphs from North-Africa, and was mostly Muslim or philo-Orthodox. The dedication to Saint Anastasia - a 1st century A.D. Christian martyr - dates back to Byzantine times, and it was meant to be well-wishing (the Greek name Anastasia means "Resurrection") and symbolizing the rebirth of Sicilian people to Christianism. After 1300, the Abbey passed in the hands of the noble Sicilian family of Ventimiglia, who owned a very extensive feud including several actual towns in the Madonie Mountains. Benedictine monks lived there until the half of 19th century, when, following a devastating earthquake, they abandoned it forever. In 2000, the actual owers decided to restore it completely and convert it into an exclusive 5-star Boutique Hotel, which was opened in December 2002.
Property details
The Relais is part of a 450-hectares estate, most of which are covered with brooms, ash-trees, cork-trees and oaks - the typical mountain vegetation common through all the Madonie - while 80 hectares are cultivated with vineyards and 60 with olive groves. The owners had a few naturalistic paths traced within the estate, to offer their guests the opportunity to explore this portion of the Madonie territory and appreciate its beauty. Guests can also walk through gorgeous green areas, gardens and terraces, to feel totally immersed in this friendly mountain landscape. The hotel is also endowed with a splendid swimming-pool with jacuzzi area and solarium, where they can treat themselves to a few moments of real relaxation in such a special location.
The Relais comes with several common areas, for example a billiard room, the "Sala Relax Adelasia" - equipped to entertain guests with table games such as chess, cards, etc - a reading and music room named "Il Focolaio del Conte Ruggero", "Il Nido del Falco" cafè - where guests can enjoy their "happy hours" and have drinks & snacks. There is also a Conference Room capable of 100 people - the "Sala Maurolico" - and 2 restaurants, "Passioni e Tentazioni" and the more exclusive "Corte dell'Abate".
The 29 hotel rooms are divided into: 2 Classic single rooms, 19 Classic double or twin, 4 De Luxe double, 2 Junior Suites - with en-suite living room - and 2 Grand Suites, with en-suite living room and a lot more space. The very refined, stylish furniture and décor, accurately selected for every room in the hotel, has been thought to make everybody feel as a "distinguished" guest.
Area details
Relais S. Anastasia is set on the hills surrounding Castelbuono, one of the many villages on the Madonie mountains which certainly deserve a visit for their picturesque urban plan, their beautiful monuments, good food & wine, and the peaceful and hearty lifestyle of their inhabitans. We particularly suggest you Castellana Sicula, the 2 Petralie, Gangi, Geraci Siculo and Polizzi Generosa. Cefalù - very lively tourist resort favoured by tourists from all over the world - is a few kms away. Within a range of 200kms from the Relais you can visit 40% of all artistic, monumental and archaeological resources in Italy: Palermo, Monreale, Segesta, Erice, Trapani, Selinunte, Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples.
Additional Information
The Relais 29 bedrooms take their name from different kinds of vines, to pay homage to the long-time wine-making activity and oenological culture of the Abbey Winery, which has been awarded with several prizes in the course of time.
Pets are not allowed at the hotel.