Italian Godfather III castle which sees politician assassinated goes on sale for €6million

A sprawling Italian castle which featured in The Godfather III has gone on the market for a cool €6million (£5m). 

Boasting 22 bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a wine cellar, library and more, the Castle of the Pennisi Family of Floristella, as it is known, is the perfect pad for film buffs.  

Nestled in the coastal town of Acireale, at the foot of Mount Etna, the stately property – measuring 43,055Sqft – witnessed the on-screen assassination of Don Licio Lucchesi in the 1990 classic by Francis Ford Coppola, starring Al Pacino.  

In a dramatic climax to the trilogy, Lucchesi – an influential figure in Italian politics – is visited by Calo, an old bodyguard and friend of Micheal Corleone (Pacino), who tells him: ‘Power wears out those who don’t have it’ – before taking off his glasses and using them to stab him violently in the neck. 

The hit was ordered by Corleone’s successor Vincent Mancini, after they discovered Lucchesi had made a deal with long-term rival Joey Zasa – vowing to back him as the new leader of the mafia empire if he killed off Corleone. 

The property which played host to the bloody scene was commissioned by Baron Gianni Pennisi and designed by the Palermo architect Giuseppe Patricolo at the end of the 19th century.

Boasting 22 bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a wine cellar, library and more, the Castle of the Pennisi Family of Floristella (pictured), as it is known, is the perfect pad for film buffs

Boasting 22 bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a wine cellar, library and more, the Castle of the Pennisi Family of Floristella (pictured), as it is known, is the perfect pad for film buffs

Fireplace takes centre stage of a reception room, emblazoned with the Pennisi family crest, with extra light provided by a hanging chandelier

Fireplace takes centre stage of a reception room, emblazoned with the Pennisi family crest, with extra light provided by a hanging chandelier  

Nestled in the coastal town of Acireale, at the foot of Mount Etna, the stately property - measuring 43,055Sqft - was the home of Don Licio Lucchesi in the 1990 classic by Francis Ford Coppola, starring Al Pacino

Nestled in the coastal town of Acireale, at the foot of Mount Etna, the stately property – measuring 43,055Sqft – was the home of Don Licio Lucchesi in the 1990 classic by Francis Ford Coppola, starring Al Pacino

Huge windows flood a dining room with sunlight, while modern art piece rests on a easel

Huge windows flood a dining room with sunlight, while modern art piece rests on a easel

In a dramatic climax to the trilogy, Calo meets with Lucchesi, and tells him: 'Power wears out those who don't have it' (pictured)

In a dramatic climax to the trilogy, Calo meets with Lucchesi, and tells him: ‘Power wears out those who don’t have it’ (pictured)

The property which played host to the bloody scene (pictured) is owned by Baron Gianni Pennisi, and was designed by the Palermo architect Giuseppe Patricolo at the end of the 19th century

The property which played host to the bloody scene (pictured) is owned by Baron Gianni Pennisi, and was designed by the Palermo architect Giuseppe Patricolo at the end of the 19th century

Entering the palatial pad, prospective buyers are met with a dazzling marble staircase and soaring ceilings, supported by arched stone columns

Entering the palatial pad, prospective buyers are met with a dazzling marble staircase and soaring ceilings, supported by arched stone columns

A private chapel in the property (pictured), features blue frescoes in its ceilings

A private chapel in the property (pictured), features blue frescoes in its ceilings 

The front entrance to the home features tall green gates which open into a marble staircase

The front entrance to the home features tall green gates which open into a marble staircase 

Captivating blue frescoes by artist Giuseppe Sciuti, featured in the private chapel

Captivating blue frescoes by artist Giuseppe Sciuti, featured in the private chapel 

The private estate has more than two acres of parkland, filled with trees and vegetation

The private estate has more than two acres of parkland, filled with trees and vegetation 

Mosaic-tiled floors and soaring ceilings make the castle a 'fairytale', says Sotheby's

Mosaic-tiled floors and soaring ceilings make the castle a ‘fairytale’, says Sotheby’s 

It was made to be a worthy home for the baron’s extensive art and coin collection – including 1,600 gold and silver Greek-Sicilian coins, which were bought by the Sicilian region in 1987 and can now be seen in the Paolo Orsi Museum in Syracuse.

The property was chosen as a filming location by Coppola after the director was faced with eye-watering rents from mobsters in Corleone, in the heart of the Cosa Nostra mafia’s territory in Sicily, reported the Times.       

It comes complete with a private chapel adorned with blue-and-gold frescoes by Giuseppe Sciuti, as well as two large balconies overlooking a 2.1-acre park dotted with a wide variety of trees and vegetation – and separate accommodation for a caretaker. 

‘It is a property that expresses a strong character and enjoys enormous potential, for its history, its location, its architecture, and its spaces,’ Diletta Giorgolo, the head of real estate company Residential Italy, told Travel + Leisure.

‘Once restored, it can adapt to different needs and contemporary tastes without changing the original structure.’ 

And while it has featured in a Hollywood blockbuster, it has also seen its fair share of real-life drama – having survived an earthquake in 1908, which killed 82,000 people, before managing to remain unscathed during a British bombing campaign in World War Two. 

‘The elegant drapery of Guelph battlements on the top and the ogival arches typical of Gothic art give it a fairytale image,’ explains Sotheby’s, one of the several real estate agencies listing the property. 

Entering the palatial pad, prospective buyers are met with a dazzling marble staircase and soaring ceilings, supported by arched stone columns. 

The property’s facade was set at a ‘peculiar’ 55-degree angle, according to Sotheby’s, which allows arriving visitors to admire ‘its beauty and relevant architectural features’. 

Exterior of the Pennisi home, which survived an earthquake in 1908, which killed 82,000 people, before managing to remain unscathed during a British bombing campaign in World War Two

Exterior of the Pennisi home, which survived an earthquake in 1908, which killed 82,000 people, before managing to remain unscathed during a British bombing campaign in World War Two

One of the 22 bedrooms shows the exquisite marble flooring and comes with a fireplace

One of the 22 bedrooms shows the exquisite marble flooring and comes with a fireplace 

Large windows flood a hallway-cum-reading room with light, while offering stunning views of the gardens

Large windows flood a hallway-cum-reading room with light, while offering stunning views of the gardens

The property offers a high level of privacy but is conveniently just 18km from Catania airport, and 42km from the town of Taormina (Pictured: Dual marble staircase)

The property offers a high level of privacy but is conveniently just 18km from Catania airport, and 42km from the town of Taormina (Pictured: Dual marble staircase) 

Separate on-site accommodation is available for a caretaker at the castle

Separate on-site accommodation is available for a caretaker at the castle 

The private chapel of the castle, featuring an intricate crucifix and wooden pews furnished with red velvet

The private chapel of the castle, featuring an intricate crucifix and wooden pews furnished with red velvet 

The property was chosen as a filming location by Coppola after the director was faced with eye-watering rents from mobsters in Corleone, in the heart of Cosa Nostra mafia's territory in Sicily (Pictured: The private chapel)

The property was chosen as a filming location by Coppola after the director was faced with eye-watering rents from mobsters in Corleone, in the heart of Cosa Nostra mafia’s territory in Sicily (Pictured: The private chapel)

It was made to be a worthy home for the then-baron's extensive art and coin collection - including 1,600 gold and silver Greek-Sicilian coins (Pictured: Driveway leading to the home)

It was made to be a worthy home for the then-baron’s extensive art and coin collection – including 1,600 gold and silver Greek-Sicilian coins (Pictured: Driveway leading to the home) 

The listing reads: 'The ceiling of the staircase is wooden coffered with the initials of the family last name and the coat of arms with alternating motifs'

The listing reads: ‘The ceiling of the staircase is wooden coffered with the initials of the family last name and the coat of arms with alternating motifs’

Impressive stone archways provide cover for those hot summer days

Impressive stone archways provide cover for those hot summer days 

The property's facade was set at a 'peculiar' 55-degree angle, according to Sotheby's, which allow visitors to admire 'its beauty and relevant architectural features'

The property’s facade was set at a ‘peculiar’ 55-degree angle, according to Sotheby’s, which allow visitors to admire ‘its beauty and relevant architectural features’

The listing adds: ‘The ceiling of the staircase is wooden coffered with the initials of the family last name and the coat of arms with alternating motifs. 

‘The whole floor is defined by comfortable bedrooms and large halls with high ceilings that follow one after the other up to the opposite ends facing the two terraces each of 130 square metres. 

‘An imposing fireplace with the initials of the family’s surname dominates the reception hall illuminated by five large mullioned windows decorated with columns, which overlook the elegant park of approximately 8500 square meters full of trees and bushes in the typical essences of the Ionic flora.’ 

The property offers a high level of privacy but is conveniently just 18km from Catania airport, and 42km from the town of Taormina.   

source: dailymail.co.uk