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Palazzo de Palermo

Palermo - North-west of Sicily, Sicily, Italy
  • Sleeps 12 / 14
  • Bedrooms 6
  • Baths 6
  • Internet
  • Pool
  • A/C

Description

Palazzo de Palermo has 6 bedrooms that accommodate 14 guests and is owned by one of the most ancient and affirmed aristocratic families in all of Italy. King Ferdinando I, Queen Carolina, and Richard Wagner are some of the more famous guests to have stayed at this residence. The property originates from a 16th century tower built by the rich merchant of Bologna, Don Aloisio Becadelli Baron of Montefranco, who also created the first lay out of the garden, which can be brought back as far as to the 5th century. During the 17th Century, the garden developed its present design in accordance with the needs and desires of those who lived on the property. Today, it is a true testimony of cultural influence, filled with plants and flowers from all over the world, which are carefully set and reside throughout this private beauty. As many other of the aristocratic villas in Palermo, a large portion of the villa was built during the florid period of the 17th century, in the beautiful bay of Palermo leading towards the area of Caltanisetta and it was enlarged in the 18th century by the famous architect Andrea Giganti.

At the end of the 17th century, the garden appeared surrounded by trees interrupted only by fields with grass; however, it was transformed into a garden following the romantic style and movement, as this took place during the 18th century. Originally, where the garden now stands, numerous activities took place, such as hunting, parades, horseback riding – all in honour of the French Bourbon Royal family, who had escaped from Naples to Palermo in 1801. During this same period, the bay of Monreale where Villa Franca is located, was a florid area of agriculture – \"a perfumed forest\" – as said with the words of the writer Guy de Maupassant. It was during this period and in this ambience, that the property became the residence of its present owners, the first in Sicily to realize a tropical garden according to a romantic taste.

Today the garden is filled with small alleyways, lakes, canals, cascades, and grottoes – respecting the typical “English style” of the past. Plenty of exotic and tropical plants were brought to Sicily and set in the garden. The villas gardens have become one of the most important gardens in Sicily, if not in all Southern Italy. Today the historical garden can be divided into two areas – the irregular garden, which is the part close to the main villa, and the romantic garden, divided into many flower beds and enriched with fountains, small hills, temples, and artificial lakes and wooded areas. Yucche, bambus, palm trees, and perfumed herbs grow everywhere; ficus-plants, cycas, washingtonie, auracarie, as well as typical Mediterranean trees such as pine and cypress trees abound. Many of these species are of a great ornamental and decorative effect. Agaves, Bougainvilleas, Hibiscuses, Jacarande and all kinds of flowers make the garden are pleasure for the eye. The garden also boasts decorative elements, such as the famous temple of Cerere with it\'s Doric and Corinthian columns and the monument dedicated to the present owner’s family. The garden is connected to the villa with an elegant staircase with terraces and with a portico facing the garden. The garden also boasts a large, shallow swimming pool and plenty of outdoor seating on garden and lounge chairs, as well as park benches.

This is truly a magnificent property. While living at this property you will be living a piece of history, this property is part of the Historic Society of Italy. The property belongs to an aristocratic Sicilian family. The gracious ancestral owner can trace his lineage back to the great Emperor Frederick II, a 12th-century leader, lawmaker, musician and scientist who led the cultural renaissance in the South, who has not only kept the property intact with all its old features, but has also equipped it to modern convenience. The character and the atmosphere of this very special villa make it a totally unique holiday experience.

The main entrance to Pallazzo de Palermo on the ground and garden floor is into a large billiards room with a wonderful, long couch, billiards table, decorative antiques and bookshelves. The billiards room leads, on one side, into a bar and lounge area with comfortable sofas, chairs, tables, and a bar. Continuing through the backside of the bar takes you into the industrial kitchen. On the other side, the billiards room leads into a furnished study and sitting room (with Internet connection), which serves as an annex to two bedrooms, both with en suite bathrooms. One bedroom offers twin, French beds, while the other offers a double. Both boast dressers, a closet, and marble bathrooms. The patio entrance from the garden into the ground floor has ample outdoor seating, chandeliers, and a table, which can be used for outside dining.
The first floor is accessed either up a double outside staircase, or through the billiards room, up 22 steps takes you into a world of frescoes, 17th century Palermitan furniture, 18th century majolica-tile floors, and hand painted glass windows. The first floor consists of many different rooms; the main drawing room, which leads to the central terrace overlooking the garden, the dining room, a music room with pieces signed by Wagner and Verdi, the TV lounge, and a small kitchen for guests use. The first floor also boasts two beautiful suites, one with a large double bed and one with two queen-size beds (truly a night to remember when you stay in a room this size with two queen beds). Roman and Greek statues abound, as well as large candelabra and many different sitting areas. The piano room boasts a grand piano with several couches, a coffee table, frescoed ceilings and walls, and antiques throughout, including original sheet music signed by Wagner from 1882. Most rooms enjoy views out onto the garden and swimming pool. The piano room serves as the entrance room to the third bedroom (with double bed and en suite bath). Again, frescoed walls abound, with sofas and chairs, a powder room, and full bathroom with bath & shower and closets and dressers. The main living room, which is roughly 700 sq. feet, is an amazing gold and oak-colored site, which connects the two wings of the house. It leads to the dining room, kitchen, smaller living & game room with poker table, satellite TV, DVD player, and paintings all around. An antique room leads to an annex sitting room that serves as the entrance room into a large bedroom with twin, French beds and en-suite bathroom. All bedrooms have portable air conditioner units.
The upstairs rooms are amazingly cured – antiques, chandeliers, china, statues, and frescoed walls and ceilings abound.

The staff includes a guest assistant, housekeeper, cleaning ladies, gardener, one waiter, and one cook. A continental breakfast is included with a linen change twice a week. Guests have honorary access to the Mondello Sailing Club.

Rooms

Rooms

Living room, Dining room, Kitchen, Study, Family room, Terrace.

Bedrooms

Bedroom 1 - 2-Twin beds with bathroom ensuite

Bedroom 2 - Queen Bed with bathroom ensuite

Bedroom 3 - Queen Bed

Bedroom 4 - 2-Queen Beds

Bedroom 5 - Double Bed with bathroom ensuite

Bedroom 6 - 2-Twin beds with bathroom ensuite

King size bed: 180 cm, Queen size bed: 160 cm, Double bed 140 cm, Twin bed: 80-100 cm.

Bathrooms

Full bathroom with tub - 6

Total number of Toilets - 6

Prices

Price for Palazzo de Palermo

Extra Charges

1 - Private driver : Extra charge(request at booking)
2 - Chef Service-lunch/dinner : Extra charge(request at booking)
3 - Telephone : On usage/paid locally
4 - Fax : On usage/paid locally
5 - Air-conditioning : On usage/paid locally

Details

General

  • Type: House/Villa
  • Floors: 2
  • Constructed: 16th Century
  • Remodeled: Historic

Allowed

Amenities

  • Pool
  • Linens
  • Air Conditioning
  • Heating
  • Garden

Appliances

  • Stove
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Dishwasher
  • Washer
  • Phone
  • Television
  • Satellite
  • Video
  • WiFi Internet

Staff

  • Caretaker
  • Cook on request
  • Gardener
  • Maid on request : Included

Location

  • Area: Urban
  • Car recommended: Yes
  • Walk to Town: No
  • City: Palermo - 5 min.
  • Town: Monreale - 10 min.
  • Airport: Palermo Airport - 35 km
  • Parking: on site

Map

Location: Palermo - North-west of Sicily, Sicily, Italy

The marker indicates the general area of the property

Photos

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