The novel unfolds within the rich and intricate settings of 19th-century Sicily, a place steeped in history and change. The landscapes and architecture serve as backdrops to the shifts in power and class, embodying the themes of aristocratic decline and the inevitability of transformation. Each location in the narrative reflects the internal and external struggles of the characters, particularly Don Fabrizio, the prince of Salina, whose reflections on life and legacy are intimately tied to these physical spaces.

San Lorenzo

San Lorenzo is a fictional Sicilian village nestled between Monte Pellegrino and Monte Castellaccio, north of Palermo. It is home to the Villa Salina, the residence of Don Fabrizio Corbera. This villa, isolated by its encircling walls, represents a world unto itself, mirroring the detached yet intertwined nature of the aristocracy within the larger societal structure. The villa, based on the author's actual Villa Lampedusa, is not just a personal residence but a symbol of the aristocratic order on the brink of change. From his observatory, Fabrizio watches the stars, contemplating the dawn of a new era that threatens to upend the established order. Despite looming changes, Fabrizio understands that societal shifts will occur within a familiar context, where new rulers merely replace the old, leaving most lives largely unaffected. The oppressive sun that bathes the landscape in "servile immobility" reflects the stasis and inevitability of decline, echoing the novel’s themes of decadence and impending transformation.

Donnafugata

Donnafugata, resembling Santa Margherita di Bèlice, lies a three-day coach journey from Villa Salina. Its "restless baroque" palace boasts countless rooms, a testament to the prince's expansive estate and feudal ties. Though Don Fabrizio spends only three months annually here, the place carries cherished memories of a "serene confidence" and "everlasting childhood." His sense of ownership transcends mere possession; it is woven into his identity and familial wealth. However, the sanctuary of Donnafugata proves illusory, as the prince confronts a decline in prestige and the erosion of traditional values. The physical environment remains unchanged, yet the underlying social truths unravel, challenging Fabrizio’s ability to maintain control.

Convent of the Holy Spirit

The Convent of the Holy Spirit is a cherished religious retreat for the Corbera family. Visiting the tomb of Blessed Corbera, their revered ancestor and the convent's founder, they partake in time-honored traditions. For Don Fabrizio, the visit is a respite from his existential contemplations, as he relishes the respect and exclusivity afforded to him—he and the king of Naples are the only men permitted entry. The convent’s humble surroundings and the nuns' homemade macaroons bring simple pleasures amidst his complex introspections.

Palermo

Palermo, Sicily's bustling capital, is a place of mixed memories for Don Fabrizio. At a grand ball in 1862, he confronts his isolation and the relentless march of time. He feels a deep pessimism about the future, philosophizing about his mortality and the end of the world with his passing. Nineteen years later, his life concludes not amidst opulence but in the modest Hotel Trinacria, as he is too ill to return to his villa and his Palermo townhouse lacks the necessary comforts. This alien environment forces him to reflect on his life, realizing that only a handful of his seventy-three years were truly lived.

Sicily

Sicily itself serves as more than just a backdrop; it profoundly influences its inhabitants. The island, lying closer to Africa than northern Italy, carries a psychological weight that shapes the Sicilian spirit. Its barren, undefined landscapes evoke a longing for the past and a resigned acceptance of fate. Don Fabrizio embodies this sentiment, perceiving the island’s inherent melancholy as a rationalization for his own resignation. The undulating horizons offer no solace, intensifying the sense of inertia and inevitability that permeates his worldview.