Candida Martinelli's Italophile Site
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Books about Italy's Palaces
below
So I've collected together some images and information about
some palaces and villas on Sicily, in several of which you can stay
overnight.
Sicily's varied history means that her palaces and villas are from various
eras in various styles.
Here's a sampling... Palazzo
Ajutamicristo, Palermo Palazzo San Domenico,
Taormina
Now the Centrale
Palace Hotel, Palazzo Tarallo was built in the 1700s and was
completely restored in 2003. It is run as a four-star hotel
complete with solarium and fitness center. The most beautiful
areas of the hotel are decorated in the Belle Epoch style.
Click
here for more photos on the hotel's site. Most are photos
of the food from the restaurants, however! Now the Excelsior
Palace Hotel, the Excelsior was built in 1891 for the National
Exhibition and was originally named the Hotel de la Paix. It
was built in the Art Nouveau style and was completely restored in
2005. It is now run as a four-star luxury hotel.
Palazzo
Ajutamicristo was built around 1500 by Baron Ajutamicristo as
his prestigious family residence. It played host to a long
list of visiting royal dignitaries who found Palermo's Royal Palace
insufficiently regal. In the 1800s the Barons Calefati di
Canalotti took possession of the property and their descendents are
the current owners. They run the property as a museum and
special events location. It is listed as a national monument.
Palazzo Biscari
was begun in 1693 by the Prince of Biscari, Paterno Castello,
and building continued over the centuries supervised by his
descendents in the Baroque Style. Today, the Paterno Castello
family still owns the property and runs it as a museum and special
events location. They even arrange period dinners for
tourists.
This palace began as a monastery in 1430 and is now the five-star
San Domenico Palace
Hotel, a member of the prestigious Leading Hotels of the World
Association, and boast 4 restaurants on the vast grounds.
The huge
Roman villa at Armerina was begun in around 320 A.D. as the seat
of the local feudal landowner and administrator of this region of
Sicily. The villa is mainly a covered archeological site,
famous for it's frescos and mosaics, especially the 'girls
in bikinis' mosaic. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit
this informative site for more pictures and descriptions including directions. From the
Luxury Retreats page: 'Villa Tasca is located in the
vicinity of the historical center of Palermo. This splendid 18th
century mansion belongs to the Counts Tasca D'Almerita, owners of
the renowned vineyards of Regaleali.'
'Villa Tasca is a unique oasis of peace and tranquility which
only recently has been transformed into a "Historical House" open to
all those wishing to discover the beautiful surroundings, rich in
history and art.'
'Guests will relive, surrounded by 18th century frescoes and
breathtaking interior decoration, the same atmosphere that one
inspired Wagner whilst completing his "Parsifal." Each room is
different in color, type, view and furnishings.'
Visit my pages:
A Few
of the Palaces and Villas of Sicily
I've noticed that many site visitors are interested in this book.
Palazzo Tarallo, via Vittorio
Emanuele 327, Palermo
Excelsior Palace, via Marchese Ugo
3, Palermo
Palazzo Ajutamicristo, via
Garibaldi 23, Palermo
Palazzo Biscari, via Museo Biscari,
Catania
Palazzo San Domenico, Piazza
San Domenico 5, Taormina
Villa Romana del Casale,
Piazza Armerina
Villa Tasca, Palermo
Books about
Italy's Places and Villas
