Villa Palagonia, in Bagheria, in the province of Palermo, is one of the most fascinating architectural jewels in Sicily. Also known as “Villa dei Mostri” because of the numerous monstrous statues that adorn its facade and walls, it is an extraordinary example of Baroque art that enchants visitors with its extraordinary beauty.
History
Villa Palagonia dates back to the 18th century, when it was commissioned by the prince Ferdinando Gravina and Crujllas, to be used as a summer residence. It was designed by the Dominican friar Tommaso Maria Napoli, assistant architect of the Senate of Palermo, who created a true masterpiece, characterized by an imposing façade and refined architectural details.
The monstrous statues
The façade of Villa Palagonia features a series of stone sculptures depicting bizarre and monstrous figures: sirens, satyrs, griffins and other mythological creatures. The statues are distributed along the perimeter of the villa, creating a scenographic and surreal effect that immediately strikes anyone who approaches the house. Made of tuff stone from Aspra, they have made the house famous throughout the world as the “Villa of Monsters”.
It is said that Prince Gravina suffered from strange obsessions and that the statues were a reflection of his eccentric mind. The art historian Salvatore Quatriglio he defined the facade of Villa Palagonia as “an open-air museum, an extravagant theatre of nature that welcomes the visitor with a dance of anthropomorphic figures and animals, in a series of convoluted baroque compositions”.
Symbol of the city
The villa has been the subject of numerous restorations over the centuries, but its façade has remained practically intact, retaining its charm and charm. Precisely this particularity has made it a symbol of the city of Bagheria and an important tourist attraction for anyone who wants to discover a corner of Sicily out of the ordinary, like this one.
Villa Palagonia also boasts splendid Italian gardens, with flowerbeds, fountains and classical statues. Visitors can stroll along the tree-lined avenues and enjoy the beauty of the landscape, which has inspired numerous artists and poets over the centuries. The villa is open to the public and offers the possibility of visiting the interiors where you can admire the original furnishings and decorations of the time. The residence is also home to cultural events and art exhibitions.
(Photo: Bagheria, Villa Palagonia Villa of Monsters, Facebook Page)
