Villa Niscemi

Building in Palermo, Italy

38°09′53.53″N 13°20′03.41″E / 38.1648694°N 13.3342806°E / 38.1648694; 13.3342806Construction started16th centuryCompleted18th centuryClientValguarnera familyTechnical detailsFloor count3

Villa Niscemi is a villa in Palermo. It is located in the north-western part of the city, near La Favorita Park.

History

The villa has been the main residence of the noble Valguarnera family for about three centuries. The origins of the building date back to the 16th century, but the villa has taken the current aspect during the late 18th century. In fact, at that time, the Valguarnera family reconfigured the existing structure, by giving it a more Baroque physiognomy and enriching it of paintings, frescoes and other artworks.^[1]

The famous jeweller Fulco di Verdura, son of Carolina Valguarnera, spent his childhood in this villa.^[2]

In 1987 the Valguarnera family sold the villa to the Comune of Palermo and, thus, the villa has been chosen as one of the representing headquarters of the Mayor.^[3]

In popular culture

The villa appeared on the seventh episode of The Amazing Race 25 as the pit stop.^[4]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Villa Niscemi.

References

^ Chirco, Adriana (2020). Palermo City Guide A Guided Tour of the City and Its Surroundings Through Historical Itineraries. Dario Flaccovio Editore. p. 114. ISBN 9788857903477.
^ Kemp, Ottilie (14 June 2019). "The enduring design legacy of Chanel, Dali and Verdura". The Jewellery Editor. Retrieved 25 January 2021.
^ Frei, Matt (1996). Italy The Unfinished Revolution. Mandarin. p. 139. ISBN 9780749318666.
^ Field, Sonya (8 November 2014). "'The Amazing Race' season 25, episode 7 recap: Racing through Sicily". Hypable. Retrieved 25 January 2021.