Villa Malfitano Whitaker, Renaissance Revival villa in Politeama quarter, Palermo, Italy
Villa Malfitano Whitaker is a three-story Renaissance Revival residence in Palermo with a central corridor featuring frescoed ceilings and decorative walls. Its interior displays ornamental details and cloisonne elephants throughout the spaces, with an elaborate staircase connecting the floors.
This residence was built between 1886 and 1889 by architect Ignazio Greco for Joseph Whitaker during Palermo's period of economic prosperity. The construction coincided with significant urban development, reflecting the architectural ambitions of a wealthy era.
The residence houses collections of artwork, archaeological objects, and natural history specimens. The rooms display Flemish tapestries depicting scenes from the Aeneid and frescoes painted by Rocco Lentini.
The residence can be explored on foot through multiple levels connected by an ornate staircase. The garden surrounding it provides open space for walking and exploring botanical diversity.
The property sits within a 7-hectare (17-acre) garden designed by Emilio Kunzmann featuring plants from Tunisia, Sumatra, Australia, and South America. This botanical collection from multiple continents creates an unusual landscape surrounding the main house.
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