Chinese Palace Palermo

Last Updated: January 11, 2024

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The palace

Located within the Favorita Park, this building was commissioned in 1799 by King Ferdinand III of Bourbon as his residence. Designed in the oriental style, which was fashionable at the time, by the architect Venanzio Marvuglia, it represents a unique combination of neoclassicism and romantic oriental references in the history of Palermo’s architecture.

Address: Via Duca degli Abruzzi, 1 90146 – Palermo (PA)
Phone: 0917234015 – 0917234009
Email: sopripa@regione.sicilia.it
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The Structure and the first floor

The structure, square in shape and on three levels, features a central body culminating in a pagoda roof supported by an octagonal drum. The ground floor has ogival arched porticoes, and on the sides, there are turrets with open spiral staircases, designed by Giuseppe Patricolo. The building is characterized by curious elements such as the small bells on the entrance gate, the carved wooden beams of the terraces, and the battlements. The apartments are distributed over three floors.

The other floors

In the basement are the ballroom and the audience hall, both decorated by Velasquez. Going up to the first floor via an external staircase, you access the reception hall in Chinese style, with painted panels by Riolo, the dining room with Marvuglia’s ingenious “mathematical table,” and the King’s bedroom with a painted ceiling in Chinese style. On the second floor is the apartment of Queen Maria Carolina, with two reception rooms and the bedroom with a dressing room. On the top level, there is a large octagonal pagoda-covered terrace with a decorated ceiling, completing the ensemble.

The Palazzina Cinese in Palermo features these beautifully decorated rooms, offering a glimpse into its rich history and artistic significance

The palace
The Structure and the first floor
The other floors
Opening hours
Ticket

Opening hours

Tuesday and Wednesday from 9.00 to 14.00 (last entry at 13)
Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 09.00 to 19.00 (last admission at 18).
Sunday: only the first of each month from 09.00 to 13.00
Closed on Mondays.