Summer retreat of Giorgio Armani found on volcanic island near Sicily, hidden in a stone house
In the heart of the Mediterranean Sea, approximately 100 kilometers from Sicily, lies the volcanic island of Pantelleria. Known as the 'daughter of the winds' due to its strong Mediterranean breezes, this island has captivated many, including the renowned fashion designer, Giorgio Armani.
In 1981, Armani discovered three abandoned dammusi in the Cala Gadir cove. These cubic homes, with domed roofs designed to collect rainwater, keep cool, and withstand strong winds, were a sight that initially filled him with a certain reservation due to the hostile environment. However, it wasn't long before he fell in love with the silent beauty of the island.
The buildings on Pantelleria, including the dammusi, are made of volcanic stone and lime cement, a testament to the island's rugged charm. Armani, with a vision to create a refuge, not a show, financed the restoration of the local cinema, bought medical equipment for the hospital, and contributed to the modernization of the drinking water network in Pantelleria.
The restoration of the dammusi was entrusted to Gabriella Giuntoli, a Pantellerian architect. The interior of these restored homes features furniture made of natural materials and harmonious lines, with a focus on simplicity and functionality.
Armani's Mediterranean oasis around his homes on Pantelleria features various types of vegetation such as cypresses, prickly pears, jasmine, palm trees, and cacti. Another fragrance, Cyprès de Pantelleria, from the Armani Privé line, pays homage to the trees growing in his gardens.
One of Armani's most famous fragrances, Acqua di Giò, launched in 1996, was inspired by the air of Pantelleria. It captures the dry vegetation and bright noon light in marine and citrus notes, a scent that carries the essence of the island.
Today, Pantelleria is a much sought-after destination, a place both wild and select, with Armani's legacy still visible in its volcanic homes and along the paths he walked. His earthly refuge on Pantelleria remains strongly alive, open to the silence of the island.
As an honorary citizen, Armani earned the esteem of the local people beyond his business fame. The Italian film director Michelangelo Antonioni has personally taken an interest in Pantelleria since the 1980s and made it his preferred summer residence.
Visit Catania, discover Italy, and book a flight to experience the allure of Pantelleria, where the winds whisper tales of a fashion legend's enduring connection with the island.
