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Santa Margherita di Belice is a small town and municipality located in the Province of Agrigento, in the southern part of Sicily, Italy. It is known as the land of the Gattopardo, inspired by the famous novel "Il Gattopardo" (The Leopard) by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa, as the author was the last Prince of Lampedusa and the town is regarded to be the inspiration behind the fictitious town of Donnafugata.
The original town was severely damaged in the 1968 Belice earthquake and a new town was built nearby, leaving the old one as a ghost town. Santa Margherita di Belice is surrounded by beautiful Mediterranean landscape, consisting of vineyards, olive groves, and citrus orchards. Aside from agriculture, tourism plays a significant role in the local economy.
The town boasts several churches, including the Mother Church, dedicated to Santa Margherita d’Antiochia, and the Church of Maria Santissima del Soccorso. The Palazzo Filangeri-Cutò is a popular tourist attraction, as it is said to be the inspiration for the Prince's palace in "The Leopard". The town also hosts various festivals and traditional events throughout the year.
Today, Santa Margherita di Belice is known for its hospitality and rich gastronomy based on local, typical Sicilian products. It is also the home of the prestigious Santa Margherita Winery, which produces a wide range of high-quality wines.