the palaces of palermo

It all started when…

Palazzo conte Federico 

The palace has Norman Arabic origins and it was build on the ancient Phoenician defence wall. It still belongs to the Count Federico family, which is related to Frédéric II. It has been modified during the centuries including baroque frescoes.

Only private visits possible accompanied by the Count.

Palazzo Alliata Villafranca 

Built in the XV century by a powerful family moved to Sicily from Bologna, the palace was purchased by the Alliata family in the XVII century. During the baroque period of Palermo both the architect Vaccarini and the artist Serpotta worked on the palace. 

The palace was also used as a art gallery and still today it hosts a painting from the Dutch artist Van Dyck. Today the palace belongs to the church and it is open to the public.

Palazzo Butera 

The palace was build between the 17 and the 18 century by the Branciforte Princes, a powerful noble family, in the Kalsa district, close to the sea. By the end of its construction Palazzo Butera was the biggest palace in the city after the royal palace. After a period of abandon, it was purchased in 2015 by the gallerist Valsecchi and is now open to the public for guided visits.

Museo Palazzo Branciforte 

Palazzo Branciforte was the main residence of the Branciforte family starting from the 17 century. The family obtained by the City Senate to expand the original building, incorporating an entire block.

After being for many years used as a bank and owned by several banks, today the palace is a cultural center, a museum and an auditorium for cultural events, open to the public after a restoration that brought it back to its original splendor.