Villa Giulia, Palermo

Villa Giulia is a historic urban park located in Palermo. Positioned to the east of the Botanical Garden of Palermo, this park was initiated by magistrate D. Antonino La Grua e Talamanca, Marquis of Regalmici, in 1777 and inspired by Giovanni Meli. The park's design was crafted by Nicolò Palma and it was named after Giulia Guevara, the wife of Marcantonio Colonna, the then Viceroy of Sicily. The construction of the villa, to which the park was dedicated, started in the same year and concluded swiftly in 1778, marking it as Palermo’s first public park.

In 1866, the park underwent significant enlargements and enhancements. The original entrance of the park, which faces the Foro Italico, showcases a Neoclassical monumental design but is now permanently closed. Presently, visitors enter through the primary entrance on Lincoln Street.

The centerpiece of Villa Giulia is a unique dodecahedron fountain that includes a marble clock, devised by mathematician Lorenzo Federici. Each face of the dodecahedron serves as a sundial, and it is crowned by a statue of Atlas, crafted by Ignazio Marabitti. This setup is enclosed within a circular fountain adorned with various metal sculptures.

The park also features four exedras designed by Giuseppe Damiani Almeyda, which were historically used for musical and theatrical performances, enhancing the villa's cultural ambiance. Originally, each corner of the park had round seating areas for rest and leisure, although only two remain today. The garden pathways are lined with busts that commemorate notable historical figures from the city.

Among the array of marble sculptures within the park, the "Fountain of the Genius in Villa Giulia" (Fontana del Genio a Villa Giulia), depicting the Genius of Palermo, stands out as a significant emblem of the city. This sculpture, also created by Ignazio Marabitti in 1778, continues to be a prominent feature and a symbol of Palermo’s rich cultural heritage. Villa Giulia remains a cherished historical site, offering a blend of artistic, architectural, and recreational appeal.