Villa Valguarnera, among immense gardens, majolica and neoclassical taste

Dear fellow travelers,

Greetings from Daniela! I’m thrilled to recommend the exquisite Villa Valguarnera, a true gem nestled in the heart of Sicily.

This 18th-century masterpiece is a testament to neoclassical architecture, surrounded by sprawling 12-hectare gardens that will take your breath away. As you wander through the grounds, you’ll encounter:

• Stunning majolica decorations
• Intricate frescoes
• Elegant marble statues

The villa’s interior is equally impressive, featuring:

• 20 lavishly decorated rooms
• A grand ballroom
• A private chapel

Fun fact: Villa Valguarnera was designed by the renowned architect Tommaso Napoli and has been home to the Valguarnera family for over 300 years.

For history buffs and art enthusiasts, don’t miss the Museo Macaluso nearby, showcasing local artifacts and paintings.

Whether you’re seeking a romantic getaway or a cultural immersion, Villa Valguarnera offers an unforgettable experience that combines luxury, history, and natural beauty.

Book your stay and prepare to be enchanted!.

There are many villas around Italy that have a fascinating history beyond architectural beauty. And, stopping in Bagheria, in Palermo, Sicily, there is an inspiring building that immediately jumps out at you for being an architectural gem: it is Villa Valguarnera, long the residence of the aristocratic Valguarnera family, and where Dacia Maraini, daughter of Topazia Alliata, spent part of his childhood. After the marriage between Agata Valguarnera and Giuseppe Alliata, the Villa also became part of the Alliata family estate, and it is no coincidence that today it is known as Villa Valguarnera-Alliata. This monumental complex should be discovered: history, origins, style, interior and exterior. We tell you all the details.

Villa Valguarnera, the story

“And lo and behold, after walking another hundred meters, looking up one’s eyes one finds oneself in front of Villa Valguarnera, in all its beauty. A two-story central body, with a following of windows, real and fake, which flow following a playful and severe rhythm. From the central body depart two wings folded so as to form a perfect semicircle.” We cannot fail to quote the words of Dacia Maraini, contained in the book Bagheria, to begin talking about the history of Villa Valguarnera.

Approaching it, in fact, we cannot help but be fascinated by its beauty, certainly, but also by the fact that it is a historical, artistic and architectural landmark. The construction of the building dates back exactly to the 1712, and having commissioned it was the Princess Annamaria Gravina. Not surprisingly, the building is majestic, especially knowing the name of the first architect who finely designed its floor plan: Thomas Mary Naples, a pupil of Bernini. Later, after his death, it was entrusted to Giovan Battista Cascione Vaccarini e Vincenzo Fiorelli. Since the first project, Villa Valguarnera has undergone numerous modifications and remakes.

Indeed, one of the aspects to mention is that from the first architect, namely Tommaso Maria Napoli, many elements were introduced: for example, his architectural language was of matrix Berninian, being his pupil, and did not lack that “Austrian” touch. The matrix is also alchemical and esoteric. The building, which was once surrounded by a park e coffee house, as well as statues and additional neoclassical architecture, is enormously impressive. Owned by the heirs of the Valguarnera Princes, the complex has been under renovation for years. But it is possible to rent it to live a day as Princes and Princesses. We have also seen it as a film set of TV series and movies, including I cavalieri dalle maschere nere (I Beati Paoli) by Pino Mercanti, La dea fortuna by Ferzan Ozpetek, L’amore coniugale by Dacia Maraini, and Anna by Niccolò Ammaniti.

The style and interiors of Villa Valguarnera.

All the charm of Sicily in a monument more unique than rare. The entrance is in the central square of Bagheria, a few kilometers from Palermo: the gate is monumental, the silent countryside a witness to its history, the floor plan shaped like the Key to Knowledge. And it is also among the earliest examples of neoclassical architecture. Spread over two levels, one immediately notices on the facades the large balustraded balconies. Once inside, one is fascinated by the staircase that gives access to the main floor, with then three salons, ballroom, in which neoclassical symbols, stucco, and gilding alternate. The interiors are sumptuous and elegant, especially the ballroom, where the decorations are precious, with white walls and pure gold profiles, and the ever-present neoclassical frescoes.

No less charming and rich, opulent are the rooms of the main floor, where waiting for guests are four bedrooms, including the one Prince’s manor house, with boudoir and private bath. The esoteric matrix envisioned from the beginning has resisted modification and influence, particularly in the alternating decorations in the walls and ceilings of the master bedroom.

There is no shortage of kitchen, where the presence of the majolica tiles striking to say the least, in addition to the handout, the music room, three large terraces, the large library (the fresco is detailed by the presence of the signs of the Zodiac), and everything alternates between stucco, furniture of different styles, bookcases, armchairs, coffee tables. And the ever-present crystal chandeliers, very elegant, as well as marble fireplaces to make the atmosphere even more atmospheric.

La Montagnola

The villa, as we have seen, is privately owned: still today the Valguarnera family brings luster to one of the most beautiful buildings in Sicily. But there is more: in addition to the majestic interiors, the exteriors also deserve a mention, and certainly the Montagnola. This limestone relief, located right in the garden of the villa, was first described in 1785.

“Before reaching the top one encounters a cave inside of which there is painted by the Giuseppe Crestadoro’s fresh brush. the fable of Acis and Galatea seated at the foot of Mount Etna; in the distance the sea can be seen and Cupid jokes over a dolphin. Outside the cave, above a rock so made by nature, giantises the statue of Polyphemus in the act of playing the sampogna. (…) Coming out of the cave, one finds a stairway with a parapet on either side which serves as her defense and by several shelves leads to the top of the hill, ending in an octangle with seats around it. In the middle, over several steps, lays a pedestal; and at the top the statue of Urania, who with telescope in her hand shows herself observing the stars.”

Villa Valguarnera is still majestic today, has preserved all its beauty and has come down to us as evidence of one of the most aristocratic families in Sicily. The advice we give is to pause also to admire the park, which is considered a “botanical heritage,” with lush vegetation. In past decades, however, there were also architectural creations that alternated with artistic elements, such as a scenic “theater” and artificial caves. It is a unique experience to take a “plunge” into eighteenth-century Sicily, with fine materials, breathtaking views and frescoes to observe. To be open to hospitality is the main floor: here you can not only stay, but also organizing an unforgettable event.