Piazza Magione (Magione Square), Palermo

Magione Square (Piazza Magione) is a significant historical square located in the Kalsa district of Palermo. The square's name derives from the Basilica La Magione situated on its South-East side, anchoring it historically and architecturally. The surrounding neighborhood emerged from the Renaissance subdivisions of the Magione garden, which traces its roots back to the Kalsa citadel during the Fatimid dynasty. Remarkably, the area was only partially affected by the bombing during World War II.

Before the demolition of the neighborhood, the family of Giovanni Falcone, a notable figure in the fight against the Mafia, lived here. Today, a commemorative plaque in the square honors Falcone, especially on May 23rd each year, marking the anniversary of the 1992 Capaci massacre. This date is significant as Falcone was born and spent his childhood in this neighborhood.

In the mid-20th century, urban development plans proposed a transformative road, Via del Porto, through the heart of the city from Cala to beyond the Botanical Garden, involving significant demolitions. However, much of the pre-war layout around Magione Square remained untouched until the mid-1950s. By 1968, demolition efforts had largely stalled, particularly around the Convent of Sapienza, central to the then-named Piazza della Sapienza. Cobblestone remnants of Via del Porto lasted until the late 1990s. These were removed in 2000 during a UN Conference, leading to the rediscovery and preservation of Renaissance and 19th-century street elements, now integrated into a redesigned square with meadows.

Thus, Magione Square stands today as a testament to the layered historical narratives of Palermo, reflecting changes in urban planning, preservation of heritage, and the enduring memory of a key figure in Italy’s legal and social history.