Palazzo Conte Federico (Count Federic Palace), Palermo (must see)
Like to know how the upper 1% live in Sicily? You can be the guests of Count and Countess Federico and they will give you a tour of their ancient homestead.
The Conte Federico Palace is located between Biscottari Street and Conte Federico Square, a short walk from Palermo Cathedral. The palace is built over the remains of the Punic-Roman walls that once surrounded the city. Its 12th century Arab-Norman tower, Busuemi Tower, encapsulates the ancient Arab gateway, Bar el Soudan.
The Palace was acquired by the Federico counts in the 17th century. The counts bought the hospice of Busuemi Port from the Olivetan Fathers of Santa Maria della Spasimo. There is an internal courtyard with stone carvings by Giuseppe Venanzio Marvuglia. A red marble staircase leads to the main floor and halls decorated in different styles.
The halls have the original furnishings of the eras they represent. There are coffered ceilings of the 15th century, frescoes by Vito D'Anna of the 18th century, and several collections of weapons and ceramics. A must visit room is the dance gallery. The gallery holds a grand piano played by Wagner in 1882.
The Count and Countess will personally receive visitors. Look forward to an evening aperitif in the Arabic-Norman tower and a candle light dinner in the Baroque dance hall. Tours can be arranged for groups and the old kitchen is used for Sicilian cooking classes.
Sounds like a winner. Ciao!
The Conte Federico Palace is located between Biscottari Street and Conte Federico Square, a short walk from Palermo Cathedral. The palace is built over the remains of the Punic-Roman walls that once surrounded the city. Its 12th century Arab-Norman tower, Busuemi Tower, encapsulates the ancient Arab gateway, Bar el Soudan.
The Palace was acquired by the Federico counts in the 17th century. The counts bought the hospice of Busuemi Port from the Olivetan Fathers of Santa Maria della Spasimo. There is an internal courtyard with stone carvings by Giuseppe Venanzio Marvuglia. A red marble staircase leads to the main floor and halls decorated in different styles.
The halls have the original furnishings of the eras they represent. There are coffered ceilings of the 15th century, frescoes by Vito D'Anna of the 18th century, and several collections of weapons and ceramics. A must visit room is the dance gallery. The gallery holds a grand piano played by Wagner in 1882.
The Count and Countess will personally receive visitors. Look forward to an evening aperitif in the Arabic-Norman tower and a candle light dinner in the Baroque dance hall. Tours can be arranged for groups and the old kitchen is used for Sicilian cooking classes.
Sounds like a winner. Ciao!
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Palazzo Conte Federico (Count Federic Palace) on Map
Sight Name: Palazzo Conte Federico (Count Federic Palace)
Sight Location: Palermo, Italy (See walking tours in Palermo)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Palermo, Italy (See walking tours in Palermo)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Palermo, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in Palermo
Creating your own self-guided walk in Palermo is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Palermo Introduction Walking Tour
Around 8,000 BC, people called Sicani drew pictures in a cave outside Palermo. The scene shows a ritual sacrifice in the theatre. Was it a paleolithic foreshadowing of the temples, churches, and cathedrals to come?
The Sicani were succeeded by the Phoenicians. They made a settlement called Ziz which eventually became Palermo. But first, the Greeks, followed by the Carthaginians, followed by the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
The Sicani were succeeded by the Phoenicians. They made a settlement called Ziz which eventually became Palermo. But first, the Greeks, followed by the Carthaginians, followed by the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles
Historical Religious Buildings
Religion has always played an important role in the lives of the Italians – and the Sicilians are no exception. Thus, it is little wonder that the main city of the island, Palermo, boasts a plethora of religious buildings. The collection of historical churches found here ranges from the Arab-Norman-Byzantine to the Medieval, Gothic, Baroque and the Renaissance.
In the course of history, many... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
In the course of history, many... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.2 Km or 2 Miles
Palaces of Palermo
For centuries, Sicilian capital Palermo has been a focal point for the construction of noble dwellings and palaces. The latter were and still are a fine manifestation of the historical life in the region. They are a few hundred of them still in place, ranging chronologically from the medieval period to the first decades of the 20th century, and comprising an impressive collection of architectural... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles