Villa Palagonia

Bagheria, Italy

The Villa Palagonia is a patrician villa in Bagheria, 15 km from Palermo. The villa itself, built from 1715 by the architect Tommaso Napoli with the help of Agatino Daidone, is one of the earliest examples of Sicilian Baroque. However, its popularity comes mainly from the statues of monsters with human faces that decorate its garden and its wall, and earned it the nickname of 'The Villa of Monsters' (Villa dei Mostri).

This series of grotesques, created from 1749 by Francesco Ferdinando II Gravina, Prince of Palagonia, aroused the curiosity of the travellers of the Grand Tour during the 18th and 19th centuries, for instance Henry Swinburne, Patrick Brydone, John Soane, Goethe, the Count de Borde, the artist Jean-Pierre Houël or Alexandre Dumas, prior to fascinate surrealists like André Breton or contemporary authors such as Giovanni Macchia and Dominique Fernandez, or the painter Renato Guttuso.

In 1885, the villa was bought by private individuals, who are still in its possession, and is partially open to the public.

Villa Palagonia has been one of the venues for music concerts held within the framework of the Concert Season of Bagheria (Stagione Concertistica Città di Bagheria) initiative since 2017, with free entrance.

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Address

Piazza Garibaldi 3, Bagheria, Italy
See all sites in Bagheria

Details

Founded: 1715
Category: Palaces, manors and town halls in Italy

More Information

en.wikipedia.org
www.atlasobscura.com

Rating

4.2/5 (based on Google user reviews)

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User Reviews

Carel Blumenstock (2 months ago)
Lots of crazy villa's from the past. This one is open for visiting for a fee.
Ludovico Lax (4 months ago)
It's ok, because it isn't really big, you can visit only a floor but it is still beautiful and interesting, but the ticket was too much:6 euro per person!
Claire Vernade (5 months ago)
BOOKING MANDATORY Despite what Google indicates, the place is closed because of covid19 restrictions and we couldn't get in at all. We suggest you call first to confirm your visit and/or book a tour. From outside it looks nice and the staff was as helpful as they could given that we had come here for nothing.
Istota Zycia (10 months ago)
6€ for ticket, and nothing to see inside. I hoped that at least they will provide some guides.
lique fatti (11 months ago)
A jump into the great past of Bagheria. I love this place and just unlike the reviewers complaining about staff not present everywhere, I must admit you will enjoy your visit even more as you can responsibly get into the accessible spots as you like. The architecture tells a story itself and I really appreciate the great selection of plants around the gardens. 4 stars as the price is unreasonably high (just for getting in).
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