Palazzo Ajutamicristo

Palazzo Ajutamicristo is a Renaissance palace in the Kalsa quarter featuring rectangular stone walls, an asymmetrical main portal with a stone arch, and a crenellated roofline on the northern wing. The interior spaces display decorated ceilings and stone details arranged around a courtyard that opens toward street level.

Construction took place between 1495 and 1501 under commission by Guglielmo Ajutamicristo, a Pisan merchant involved in trading Sicilian cheese and grains. The palace welcomed Emperor Charles V in 1535 and achieved such prominence that it was viewed as surpassing the royal palace of Palermo.

The ballroom displays a ceiling fresco by Giuseppe Crestadoro depicting The Glory of the Virtuous Prince, reflecting the artistic skill valued by Sicilian nobility. This artwork shapes how the room feels and shows the importance the family placed on visual beauty.

The building functions as a private residence for the Calefati family while offering three guest rooms for overnight stays. Plan to contact ahead since the property operates as a working home rather than a standard museum.

The house remains an active home of the Calefati family, who have lived there for generations, setting it apart from many other converted palaces. This continuous inhabitation has shaped the place and preserved the palace with its own particular character.