Founded by Guido Coffa, who purchased the estate in Contrada Monaci, Zafferana Etnea; the name Monaci means monks, as for centuries the monasteries around Zafferana Etnea served the parish and pilgrims, and the grounds were managed under the auspices of the church. In the nineteenth century the property was reallocated and eventually abandoned before Coffa’s acquisition. The palmenti and buildings have been restored and converted into private cottages and a boutique country hotel called Monaci delle Terre Nere.