Villino Favaloro, Palermo

The Villino Favaloro, situated in Virgilio Square in Palermo, is an iconic building that epitomizes the modernist and Liberty artistic movements of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Built between 1889 and 1891, the villa was originally designed by the renowned architect Giovan Battista Filippo Basile and later completed by his son, Ernesto Basile, between 1913 and 1914. This historic building first served as the residence of the Favaloro family and later became the home of Senator Giuseppe Di Stefano Napolitani, a notable politician and lawyer from Palermo.

Villino Favaloro is celebrated as the first example of modernism in Palermo, showcasing the transition in architectural styles during this period. Ernesto Basile, a pivotal figure in the Art Nouveau movement in Italy, added significant elements to the villa, including an octagonal tower along Via Dante adorned with mosaic decorations by Salvatore Gregorietti. He also designed a striking iron and glass winter garden decorated with Liberty motifs, enhancing the artistic value and aesthetic appeal of the villa.

Throughout its history, the villa has changed ownership and functions, reflecting the cultural and economic shifts in Palermo. After being declared uninhabitable due to damage from a 2002 earthquake, it underwent a period of closure. It was reopened to the public in 2015, briefly hosting the contemporary art exhibition "Le Stanze d'Aragona." Today, the building is under the guardianship of the Sicilian Region and has been repurposed to house the "Enzo Sellerio" Museum of Photography.