a very brief story…

The Mollica family is a local family of longstanding and has lived here or hereabouts since the 1400’s.

San Giovanni Vecchio was one of the family’s houses. This was often wagered during card games by a family member who lost it so many times that her father, who regularly redeemed it, at one point decided the situation was untenable and so it left the family for about forty years.

After the earthquake of 1968 the house fell into disuse until 2001 when it was bought back by Caterina and Angus to be restored stone by stone and made their family home again.

If you are interested in learning more about Contrada San Giovanni, Calatafimi and the local history you might enjoy reading "Calatafimi: behind the Stone Walls of a Sicilian Town", written by Angus Campbell, a local Englishman and historian who loved the area and its people.