Parco della Favorita (La Favorita Park), Palermo
La Favorita Park (Parco della Favorita) stands as a significant expanse of greenery within the bustling city of Palermo. Established in 1799 by Ferdinand III of Sicily, this park covers a substantial area of 400 hectares (990 acres), making it the largest green space in Palermo. It is scenically positioned at the foot of Monte Pellegrino in the northwestern part of the city.
The origins of the park trace back to a tumultuous period in Ferdinand III's life when he fled from Naples in 1798. To establish this park, numerous properties were confiscated from the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. Over the years, La Favorita has served multiple purposes: it was not only a cool retreat during the hot summer months but also functioned as a game preserve and a site for agricultural experimentation. The park's fertile grounds supported extensive cultivation of citrus fruits, olive trees, ashes, nuts, and sumac.
In 1995, La Favorita became a part of the Riserva Naturale orientata Monte Pellegrino, a nature reserve established by the Sicilian Region. The park stretches from the cool shadows of Monte Pellegrino to the neighborhood of Pallavicino. Two major streets, named after the mythological figures Hercules and Diana, run parallel through the park, creating a vital connection from the heart of Palermo to the coastal area of Mondello. These main arteries are linked by a third avenue named after Pomona, enhancing the park's accessibility and layout.
La Favorita is not only a natural oasis but also a cultural and recreational hub. It houses several key attractions, including the royal residence known as Palazzina Cinese, which is connected to the Museo Etnografico Siciliano Giuseppe Pitrè. Other notable sites within or near the park include Villa Niscemi, the Neoclassical Fountain of Hercules, the Renzo Barbera Stadium, and various other sports facilities. These features make La Favorita a multifaceted destination, blending historical, cultural, and recreational elements in one expansive setting.
The origins of the park trace back to a tumultuous period in Ferdinand III's life when he fled from Naples in 1798. To establish this park, numerous properties were confiscated from the House of Bourbon-Two Sicilies. Over the years, La Favorita has served multiple purposes: it was not only a cool retreat during the hot summer months but also functioned as a game preserve and a site for agricultural experimentation. The park's fertile grounds supported extensive cultivation of citrus fruits, olive trees, ashes, nuts, and sumac.
In 1995, La Favorita became a part of the Riserva Naturale orientata Monte Pellegrino, a nature reserve established by the Sicilian Region. The park stretches from the cool shadows of Monte Pellegrino to the neighborhood of Pallavicino. Two major streets, named after the mythological figures Hercules and Diana, run parallel through the park, creating a vital connection from the heart of Palermo to the coastal area of Mondello. These main arteries are linked by a third avenue named after Pomona, enhancing the park's accessibility and layout.
La Favorita is not only a natural oasis but also a cultural and recreational hub. It houses several key attractions, including the royal residence known as Palazzina Cinese, which is connected to the Museo Etnografico Siciliano Giuseppe Pitrè. Other notable sites within or near the park include Villa Niscemi, the Neoclassical Fountain of Hercules, the Renzo Barbera Stadium, and various other sports facilities. These features make La Favorita a multifaceted destination, blending historical, cultural, and recreational elements in one expansive setting.
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Parco della Favorita (La Favorita Park) on Map
Sight Name: Parco della Favorita (La Favorita Park)
Sight Location: Palermo, Italy (See walking tours in Palermo)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Sight Location: Palermo, Italy (See walking tours in Palermo)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
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.
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
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