History – Villa Lawrence

Our history

A sketch of Villa Lawrence 1850 Taken from here

1855-1913
Grandmont & Bramine Hubrecht

1890
The Cacopardo Family

Photo Taken from The Risk Museum Archive The Cacopardo Family servants to The Grandmonts. Giuseppe Cacopardo with wife and threee children Vincenzo Cacaropardo , Francesco Cacopardo Francesca Cacopardo ( Great great Grandmother to Louisa ).

1919
Dh Lawrence

D.H. Lawrence, the renowned British author, spent a significant period of his life in Taormina, Sicily, from 1920 to 1922.

1950
Truman Capote

1960 - 1968
Howard Agg

Howard Agg was a notable playwright, adaptor, and BBC radio journalist. He contributed significantly to radio drama, particularly in adapting literary works for broadcast

Present
Louisa Vittorio

Louisa Vittorio is a half-English, half-Sicilian entrepreneur known for founding Villa Britannia in 2006

1855

Bramine Hubrect

Marie Hubrect and Bramine Hubrect were two talented sisters who lived in the charming Villa Fontana Vecchia in Taormina, where they both embraced their artistic passions. The villa, renowned for its stunning views and serene ambiance, became a sanctuary for their creativity. One pivotal moment in their lives came when Marie decided to gift Villa Lawrence to Ciccio Cacorpardo, Louisa’s great uncle.

1890

Cacopardo Family

The Cacopardo became owner of Villa Fontana Vecchia , always living in the downstairs area and taking care of their guests .

1919

DH Lawrence

They both adored the house and its peaceful surroundings.

While staying here, Lawrence wrote extensively, translating Giovanni Verga, he starts writing “The lover of Lady Chatterly” and and finishes “The Lost Girl” “Sea and Sardinia”. He also writes and completes “The Captains doll”,”The Fox”, The Ladybird”, “England, My England”.

Various poems were written too, one being the “The Snake” which was seen in the garden of “Villa Fontana Vecchia”.

Friends that visited whilst here: Maurice Magnus, Francis and Jessica Brett Young (writers), Jan Juta (artist), Renè Hansard (writer), Gilbert Cannan (writer) , Mary Cannan (actress), Alain

Insole (writer artist).

1950

Truman Capote

In 1950, at the age of 25, Truman Capote, already a celebrated author, moved from New York City to Taormina, Sicily, seeking refuge from the American literary scene. He settled in the Villa Fontana Vecchia, previously inhabited by D.H. Lawrence, and used this time to write “The Grass Harp“ and several short stories.

Capote’s biographer, Gerard Clarke, suggests that the move was partly influenced by his partner, Jack Dunphy‘s, desire for an overseas life and the favorable exchange rate for the American dollar in Italy.

While Capote’s time in Sicily was short, it significantly impacted his writing. The distance from home and the heightened clarity he experienced inspired works like “Another Day in Paradise“ and “The Grass Harp“, drawing on memories of his childhood in Monroeville, Alabama.

Capote’s essay “Fontana Vecchia“ hints at a possible inspiration for the character of Iris Greentree, a beautiful aunt of a young ice boy who yearns for America. This suggests that the character of Louisas‘ father, the ice boy, could be based on this real-life individual.

1960 - 1968

Howard Agg

Howard Agg was a notable playwright, adaptor, and BBC radio journalist. He contributed significantly to radio drama, particularly in adapting literary works for broadcast. Some key points about his career include:

Radio Wor: Agg worked in various capacities at the BBC, including as a producer for radio drama. He is recognized for adapting works of prominent authors for radio, such as Somerset Maugham’s **”Of Human Bondage”** and **”The Narrow Corner”**. His adaptations were significant during the mid-20th century and shaped how literature was presented in audio format.

Wrote Cypress in Sicily

Present

Louisa Vittorio

“Louisa Vittorio is a half-English, half-Sicilian entrepreneur known for founding Villa Britannia in 2006. With a deep-rooted passion for food and hospitality, she has spent the past decade sharing her home and organizing unique cooking experiences in Taormina, Sicily. Currently, she manages Villa Lawrence with the strong intention of sharing its rich history and preserving its artistic legacy. Louisa’s passion and mission are to share what she loves most—Sicily, along with its traditions, cuisine, and the history she has inherited.”