Villa Bonanno, the secrets of its palm garden

Dear fellow travelers,

As Daniela Uslan, I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on Villa Bonanno, a hidden gem in Palermo, Sicily. This charming public garden, located in the heart of the city’s historic center, is a true oasis of tranquility.

The star attraction of Villa Bonanno is undoubtedly its palm garden, which harbors some fascinating secrets:

• The garden boasts over 40 species of palm trees
• Some palms are over a century old
• Ancient Roman ruins lie beneath the park

Villa Bonanno is not just about palms, though. It’s also home to:

• Archaeological remains from Punic and Roman times
• A picturesque fountain
• Benches perfect for people-watching

Fun fact: The park is named after Giuseppe Bonanno, a former mayor of Palermo.

For history buffs, don’t miss the nearby Norman Palace and Palermo Cathedral.

Villa Bonanno is open daily and admission is free. It’s an ideal spot for a peaceful stroll or a refreshing break from sightseeing.

Happy travels!.

Who has been on vacation in Palermo At least once in their lives, or those who live in the Sicilian capital, have surely come across one of the architectural wonders in the area, namely Villa Bonanno. Created by Giuseppe Damiani Almeyda in 1905, striking are the palm trees, a unique garden with exotic features with many secrets, statues and paths to experience firsthand. Many elements to visit, including the few remains dating back to Roman times, two patrician houses. We tell you about this dreamy place.

The story of Villa Bonanno

Villa Bonanno is located precisely in Square of the Victory (opposite the Palazzo dei Normanni), and the entrances to visit the splendid 30000 m² garden are from Corso Vittorio Emanuele and Piazza della Vittoria. This public garden, in Palermo’s Palazzo Reale district, is enchanting, at times exotic. More than 100 years have passed since the arrangement of Piazza Vittoria, which began in 1905 with the design of Villa Bonanno by thearchitect Giuseppe Damiani Almeyda.

The villa was named after the then mayor of Palermo, Pietro Bonanno, and has been undergoing redevelopment. What stands out at first glance are the palm trees themselves, which surround the building lushly, alternating with other elements of historical interest, such as the remains of the two ancient Roman patrician houses. These remains were only found later, and today it is possible to admire the mosaic floor, which depicts the “Hunt of Alexander the Great”: unfortunately, it is very damaged, but it is still visible. The rest of the flooring was entrusted to the Regional Archaeological Museum.

It is worth admiring “The Caretaker’s House,” also designed by architect Giuseppe Damiani Almeyda. Additional elements follow, including the bust of Mayor Bonanno, the monument to Philip IV, which was made by Nunzio Morello (but designed by Charles d’Aprile in 1661).

The palm garden

The park is extensive, as we have seen, an area of 30000 m². And, walking through this enchanting garden, it is impossible not to be fascinated by the exotic tree species e Mediterranean, among trails e routes that alternate between nature and buildings and monuments. An oasis quite different from any other garden, since no precise pattern has been followed, nothing is preset: this is the magic of Villa Bonanno, the secrets of its garden. At times romantic, the scenery is breathtaking.

The sculptures of Villa Bonanno

As anticipated, the gardens of Villa Bonanno are popular not only by virtue of the lush beauty of nature, but also to discover the sculptural elements: walking along its avenues, one can come across monuments that have been erected in memory of illustrious Palermitan figures. Of course, there is the bust of the Mayor Pietro Bonanno, to whom the Villa is dedicated: this work is by Domenico Costantino, and the basement was edited by Ernesto Basile.

We also mention the bust dedicated to the painter Salvatore Lo Forte, a work curated by Francesco Cocchiara, or even the monument in memory of the Lt. Giuseppe Mancino, which was instead created by Pasquale Civiletti. Completing the list of sculptures in the garden of Villa Bonanno are the monument to Gaetano Bucceri by Mario Rutelli, the bust of Ignazio Rotolo, a work by Francesco Sorgi, and again the monument to the General Carlo Alberto dalla Chiesa and the one dedicated to Philip IV, whose history is peculiar. The reason? The monument was created in 1856 by Nunzio Morello, but it was designed long before, namely by Carlo D’Aprile in collaboration with the Serpotta family in 1661.

The remains of the Roman houses

A real Archaeological Area is that immersed in the garden of Villa Bonanno. An area that covers part of the oasis, and was discovered in December 1868. According to official documents and sources, the first building consisted of two peristyles, and one is now buried. The northern side, on the other hand, shows what was specified earlier, namely Alexander’s Hunt. On the southern side, a breathtaking setting, with plasterwork in botanical motifs e marble slabs. Once the Archaeological Area was discovered, many remains were transported and displayed in the A. Salinas Museum.

The remains of the Roman construction were discovered in 1868, during redevelopment and maintenance work in anticipation of the visit of Umberto e Margaret of Savoy. And this is how what were, in fact, the houses of a patrician were found, for one immediately recognized the very rich mosaics on the very floors. Many were peeled off, as we have seen-a practice of the time that has now, thankfully, fallen into disuse.

A testimony of the 1700-year-old Palermo ago, a real treasure that we can discover only in part. Based on the excavations, a fountain, wells that were later buried, and the granary pits that we will discuss were found, which date, instead, to the 16th century. Not only that, even a necropolis dating back to the past, destroyed, in all probability, by the earthquake that occurred in 365 AD.

Villa Bonanno today, an opportunity to discover an oasis

Strolling through the garden of Villa Bonanno is a unique opportunity: today, right here, many events are organized, not only with a cultural or musical background, but even paranormal or esoteric, a walk in the heart of the city to discover its secrets and mysteries. And, indeed, among the many stories surrounding this place there is one that deserves to be told.

We are referring to the famous “gold of Sicily,” as narrated by Balarm: a kind of circular railing with a plaque, “Fossa Granaria,” located near the mosaics, and which was responsible for securing grain for people, especially in times of hardship, such as the famines o shortage of raw materials. The gardens of Villa Bonanno are a true naturalistic treasure to be discovered, on a par with many others, such as the English gardens surrounding the magnificent Villa Melzi d’Eril or even the splendid silent gardens of Villa Necchi Campiglio.