Monaci delle Terre Nere is set between the volcano and the sea, across the terraced hills of Etna’s slopes. Faithful to its green philosophy, it has long been committed to an all-rounded environmental sustainability project which has a low impact on the land.
In the full respect of the environment we can still create the hospitality and exclusiveness of a luxury resort. The restoration of the central villa and the independent lodges has been carried out by local craftsmen to preserve the nature and quality of the original buildings, in the respect of bio architectural principles, such as the use of natural plaster, with local materials such as chestnut wood from the trees of Mount Etna for the floorboards, old copings as head boards. In our rooms you won’t find either TV sets, nor disposable products. We offer an eco-friendly toiletry line, and we kindly recommend using linens and towels more than once, when it is possible.
70% of our energy is produced by solar panels, which we are developing even further to increase self-sufficiency. We don’t use any electric engine for the plumbing and water supply as we exploit a gravitational fall operated system. Air-conditioning devices all have high energy efficiency. We invite our guests to use the fireplace set in almost every room to heat in cold seasons. Our restaurant has a fireplace with floorboard heating.
We promote biodiversity and organic products and we do not use any pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. We welcome spontaneous vegetation in some areas of the estate and we have 150 different types of fruit tree, many of which are endangered species, such as the Mastrantonio Cherry tree DOP, the Tabacchiera and Sbergia Peach tree, the Coscia and Baccibedda Pear tree tree, the Cola Apple tree, the Damaschino Apricot tree, the Vinnignola Fig tree, the Muscateddu Plum tree; we also pick wild vegetables that grow on the estate, such as Cannatedda, Caliceddi, Caccialepre, Coscivecchi, Portulaca etc. We are active members of Slow Food, we believe in its philosophy and grow some presidia such as Cavolo Trunzo. Our vineyard and its entire productive process is absolutely organic. Our beloved 120 hens run around happily in a 3000 m2 plot of land. During your stay, you will be able to meet them personally, by booking the egg collection experience with Rosario, our groundkeeper and head of farming. You will then have the opportunity to enjoy a delicious omelette for breakfast. Last but not least, we are very committed to recycling and engaged in producing less and less waste.
Monaci delle Terre Nere is a full immersion experience in the Etna countryside, across an 18th century terracing system, restored by the wise expertise of local mastri. It is also an organic farm engaged in recovering the original value of its land. We produce most of what we use and buy the rest from neighbouring farmers, in order to keep faith to our philosophy: our products are only locally produced and made in Sicily, with fair trade production chains. For this reason, you will find no Parmesan on our kitchen table, but our Maiorchino Siciliano, no balsamic vinegar but our traditional mosto cotto. We make our own bread with our natural yeast and organic local flour. We offer seasonal seafood, no room for endangered species, and only locally fished.
At Monaci delle terre Nere, we firmly believe in our eco-philosophy and we work every day to fulfil our values. We share this philosophy with the colleagues from Relais &Chateaux, who, in 2014, presented the Manifesto for sustainable, artisanal luxury and hospitality at UNESCO. We proudly share our mission and our sense of responsibility with our collaborators and we count on their truthful commitment, for the sake of the next generations. Federica and I have decided to put Nature at the centre of our activity, our home, our life. We believe that luxury can only be promoted if it respects nature and all living beings. We deeply believe that luxury should only be promoted if it is practised in harmony with nature and all living beings. We are sincerely committed to carrying out our activities in the most respectful and sustainable way possible. We have inherited some virtuous practices from the wise men that worked on these lands in other times. We commit every day to new challenges to carry out our project in a sustainable way. We consider sustainability our never-ending duty, something we owe to our land and to our community. With love for Nature in all its expressions,
