Villa Spedalotto

Villa Spedalotto is a neoclassical house in Santa Flavia near Palermo that features Greek revival elements with a central portico and two symmetrical wings arranged around an open courtyard facing the Mediterranean Sea. The building sits on a hillside among olive groves and has a terrace covered with blue and white tiles from 1845.

The house was built between 1784 and 1793 under architect Giovanni Emanuele Incardona. In 1799, it served as a temporary refuge for the royal family of Naples during their exile.

The interior combines Empire-style elements with Baroque influences through trompe-l'œil frescoes painted by artist Elia Interguglielmi. These wall paintings show how two artistic periods came together in one space.

The villa sits on a hillside surrounded by olive groves near Palermo in a rural setting. Visitors should wear sturdy shoes since the terrain is uneven in places.

Jesuit astronomer Father Angelo Secchi conducted astronomical observations from the terrace during the 1870s. His work made this location an unexpected center for scientific research in Sicily.

Location: Santa Flavia

Inception: 1793

Architects: Giuseppe Venanzio Marvuglia

Official opening: 1793

Architectural style: neoclassicism

GPS coordinates: 38.07369,13.51775

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:03