Fortress Bruno, Ispica (Ragusa), Sicily.
Fortress Bruno is an ancient fortress of the Noto Valley immersed in the wild Mediterranean vegetation, typical of the Iblean countryside The buildings are divided in 2 blocks by a huge central patio, so-called patio grande of circa 4,500 sq. m paved with typical flagstones. The central part of the fortress called Maschio stands on different levels for a total of 750 sq. m; adjacent to this structure there is a second building of 600 sq. m on 2 floors which has been restored together with the Maschio. The remaining part of the first block consists of ruins of approximately 1,500 sq. m on a single floor which can be restored on 2 levels and reach the total surface of approximately 3,000 sq. m. The Maschio, together with the second adjacent building and the units to be restored, develops around the so-called patio piccolo, an internal courtyard paved in original stone and perfectly maintained. The Maschio boasts a large terrace on the first floor overlooking both the patio piccolo and the patio grande and a larger roof terrace which offers a breath-taking panoramic view of the surrounding countryside up to the sea. The second block of buildings is composed by: -The caretaker’s house of 450 sq. m on 2 levels which is partially restored and located next to the 10.000 sq m garden of Arab structure. -An adjacent building of 200 sq. m currently used as offices and opening on an internal courtyard (baglio) of 1,000 sq. m paved in natural flagstones and with 2 porches of 250 sq. m each. -Contiguous to the offices, there is a large warehouse of 650 sq. m restored in 2002. Around the 2 blocks of buildings there are different small ruins of approximately 500 sq. m all regularly registered. The property sits in 20 hectares of land of which 4 hectares are planted with an olive grove. The fortress also boasts 2 water wells of which the main one is used for agricultural use and the other one for residential use; a 90 kw cabin regularised 8 years ago and a GPL distribution system to serve all the property. It is an ancient watchtower dating back to the Arab nomination, located only 10 km away from the sea and 6 km from the highway, in Rosolini.
