We visited this lovely little museum near Siracusa when we found it by pure chance. It is called the Museo Cavallo d’Ispica.
It is in an old water mill, which the same family has converted into a museum, after several generations of their family used it to mill flour.
They were clearly the kind of hoarders who never threw anything away!!! It has originals of everything relating to 18th century rustic life, including the Arabic style laundry where they used the running water to wash clothes, the bathroom with bath tub, the kitchen, the bakery, the bedrooms and all the lacy linen, and the kitchen with a collection of vast wooden spoons used to stir the pasta and wack naughty children, in the Sicilian tradition….
It was an enchanting way to spend a couple of hours and the setting was delightful too.
The Dangerously Truthful Diary of a Sicilian Housewife 
Sounds like you had a lovely time. Hope all is well.
XO
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We’ve had a hell of a time lately but things seem to be looking up at last…
I keep putting off phoning in anticipation of having good news to share rather than moaning. But I should just go for it anyway. Xxx
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I must have lived there in a previous life! Love it…….did I see a bidet in that bathroom? An aside….does anyone know where I can get one of those lava covered nativity mangers I saw in Sicily and should have bought?
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I’ve only ever seen them in Sicily, near Etna. I think you have no option but to take another holiday in Sicily!!
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I LOVE SICILY AND HAVE BEEN THERE MANY TIMES IN THE LAST 45 YEARS..IT IS SO BEAUTFIUL AND I WOULD LIKE TO KEEP GOING IF I CAN BUT I DONT THINK SO BECAUSE OF MY PROBLEMS WITH MY BACK AND FEET. WHAT ELSE IS NEW??? ALL OF THE FAMILY IS IN THE LITTLE VILLAGE OF PEZZOLO, PROVINCE OF MESSINA. IT IS ABOVE THE TIMBER LINE AND VERY, VERY OLD. THERE WERE ONCE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THERE AND NOW ONLY A FEW HUNDRED.REMAIN. THE YOUNG ADULTS HAVE SLOWLY MOVED DOWN TO THE BIGGER TOWNS BUT A FEW DIHARDS STILL REMAIN AND REBUILD THE OLD RUINS. IN THE BOSTON AREA, THERE ARE MANY PEZZOLO PEOPLE WHO RETURN EACH SUMMER WITH THEIR CHILDREN TO KEEP CLOSE TO THEIR CULTURE. ONCE YOU HAVE BEEN THERE YOU WILL NEVER FORGET THE VILLAGE AND THE WONDERFUL PEOPLE WHO ARE ALWAYS WELCOMING. THE FUTURE OF PEZZOLO LOOKS DIM….
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There are so many little villages like that across Sicily that are turning into ghost towns. It is impossible to find work in them and the few locals who remain don’t seem interested in turning them into tourist destinations to bring in money… Which would be so easy. It is heartbreaking to see so many lovely communities fading slowly away.
A friend of mine is writing a book about them to preserve them. She has a blog too. If you Google Rochelle del Borello you will find it.
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The Sicilian people aren’t afraid to make the leap of faith and embrace change, whether it’s rebuilding a city or emigrating to a new country. Thank you for reminding me of Noto.
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My Grandmother emigrated to the US from Sortino, in Syracusa in 1905. Her family owned a flour mill there when she left. We’re going to Sicily this June & will be traveling to Sortino. Do you know the family name or contact info for the old mill there?
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I am afraid I don’t have any contacts there at all.
Have you tried writing to the priest in the local church? They are the best networked in local communities.
You will need to write in Italian. The more information you can give, the better his chance of helping you.
Good luck!
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