Cav. Don Giuseppe & the Castello di Rampinzeri

[scraig32]

Giuseppe De Stefano is my 4x great grandfather. He is from Santa Ninfa, Italy and lived in the family castle. I am positive this Italian website is featuring that castle, but I am unable to understand what the information says, even when I hit the "translate to English" button at the top. Would someone be able to give me the gist of what the article is saying, in particular the part that talks about Cav. Don Giuseppe De Stefani. Is this his family home? Thank you so very much for any help you might provide. Suzanne

http://www.virtualsicily.it/Monumento-C ... eri-TP-348

[PippoM]

I tried to improve the automatic translation...

The name "castello" ("castle"), for what concerns the large farm of Rampinzeri, is a misnomer, since
it is not provided with fortifications. In the common meaning the large building (a "baglio" in Sicily is a building with a big courtyard inside) is so named
because of the transformations of the XIX century, that made it a neoGothic castle interestingly dichromatic, and because of important role of such building in the genesis of Santa Ninfa. Built on the
remains of a building raised at the beginning of 1600, the "baglio" underwent numerous
transformations over the 1700s and 1800s. The old Rampinzeri Castle, partly renovated lately, hosts an
elegant agriturismo (country hotel and restaurant) **SPAM** typical food, a small exhibition space about the tools of rural society and a considerable equestrian club. It is in the "feudo" (possession of the nobles) that goes by the same name, formerly owned by family Giardina Bellacera, and in the 1800s became a possession of the ancient De Stefani family who still owns it.
The name "Rampinzeri", a mutation of "Rabinseri", has etymologically Arabic origins: the
"rahal" root means "house", maybe house of the Angari, named after an African tribe that "reigned" in
the area.
This castle is mentioned in the novel "Il gattopardo" ("The Leopard") by Prince Giuseppe Tommasi di Lampedusa,
where it is improperly defined a "warehouse".
This reference stems from the fact that Prince Don Fabrizio Salina during his season transfer from
Palermo to Santa Margherita Belice did stop in Rampinzeri for rest and refreshment along with his
family and entourage.

[PippoM]

In fact, the royal country road passed right next the "feudo", which at that time was owned by
Cav. ("cavaliere", honorary title) Don Giuseppe De Stefani.
(Then repeats what already said before)

The building, which is located on a hill not excessively high, dominant throughout the facing valley, has two courtyards, introduced by portals with little touch (I don't know what this means...this must be a word used in architecture): a smaller one inside and a bigger one outside.
The first is bounded by the dwelling house of the owners, and by smaller service buildings, and has two
doors.
...

Can this be enough?

[scraig32]

Yes! Thank you so much! That is so much better!!!

[scraig32]

can anyone tell me what a "feud" is? The article says that the road passed next to the feudo that was owned by my 4x great grandfather, Don Giuseppe. Does this mean he owned the castle or just something next to it?

[Tessa78]

Here are some translation examples of "feudo" used in context.

http://context.reverso.net/translation/ ... lish/feudo

T.

[scraig32]

thank you Tessa for the examples. They really help!