Villa Whitaker, 19th-century Gothic Revival villa in Politeama district, Palermo, Italy
Villa Whitaker is a 19th-century country house combining Neo-Renaissance and Gothic Revival elements located in Palermo. The building features intricate floral decorations, Flemish tapestries depicting scenes from the Aeneid, and frescoes throughout its state rooms and smaller chambers.
British-Sicilian businessman Joseph Whitaker commissioned architect Ignazio Greco to build this house between 1886 and 1889. The residence was admired and visited by various European artists and guests throughout the Belle Époque period.
The house served as a gathering place for European artists and nobility who met in its lavish rooms during the Belle Époque. Visitors could admire artworks spanning different periods while experiencing the grandeur of these carefully designed spaces.
The grounds span approximately seven hectares and were designed by Emilio Kunzmann, featuring plant species from Tunisia, Sumatra, Australia, and South America. Wear comfortable shoes to explore the various areas of the property comfortably.
Joseph Whitaker's collection included finds from Motya, an ancient Phoenician city on an island off the coast of Sicily. These archaeological pieces still remain in the rooms today, telling the story of the region's earliest inhabitants.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
