Villa Niscemi

{{Infobox historic building

| name = Villa Niscemi

| native_name =

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| status = Representing Headquarters of the Comune of Palermo

| image = Villa Niscemi - Parte del giardino.jpg

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| caption = Villa Niscemi, exterior

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| building_type = Villa

| architectural_style = Renaissance and Baroque

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| client = Valguarnera family

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| location = Palermo, Sicily, Italy

| address = Piazza dei Quartieri, 2

| coordinates = {{Coord|38|09|53.53|N|13|20|03.41|E|type:landmark_region:IT|display=inline,title}}

| floor_count = 3

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| start_date = 16th century

| completion_date = 18th century

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Villa Niscemi is a villa in Palermo. It is located in the north-western part of the city, near La Favorita Park.

History

The villa has been the main residence of the noble Valguarnera family for about three centuries. The origins of the building date back to the 16th century, but the villa has taken the current aspect during the late 18th century. In fact, at that time, the Valguarnera family reconfigured the existing structure, by giving it a more Baroque physiognomy and enriching it of paintings, frescoes and other artworks.{{cite book|last=Chirco|first=Adriana|title=Palermo City Guide A Guided Tour of the City and Its Surroundings Through Historical Itineraries|publisher=Dario Flaccovio Editore|date=2020|page=114|isbn=9788857903477}}

The famous jeweller Fulco di Verdura, son of Carolina Valguarnera, spent his childhood in this villa.{{cite web|url=http://www.thejewelleryeditor.com/jewellery/vintage/article/enduring-design-legacy-chanel-dali-and-verdura/|title=The enduring design legacy of Chanel, Dali and Verdura|work=The Jewellery Editor|last=Kemp|first=Ottilie|date=14 June 2019|access-date=25 January 2021}}

In 1987 the Valguarnera family sold the villa to the Comune of Palermo and, thus, the villa has been chosen as one of the representing headquarters of the Mayor.{{cite book|last=Frei|first=Matt|title=Italy The Unfinished Revolution|publisher=Mandarin|date=1996|page=139|isbn=9780749318666}}

In popular culture

The villa appeared on the seventh episode of The Amazing Race 25 as the pit stop.{{cite web|url=https://www.hypable.com/the-amazing-race-season-25-episode-7-recap-racing-through-sicily/|title='The Amazing Race' season 25, episode 7 recap: Racing through Sicily|work=Hypable|last=Field|first=Sonya|date=8 November 2014|access-date=25 January 2021}}

References

External links

[http://www.culturaitalia.it/opencms/opencms/system/modules/com.culturaitalia_stage.liberologico/templates/viewItem.jsp?id=oai:culturaitalia.it:museiditalia-mus_7237 Villa Niscemi - culturaitalia.it]
[http://www.palermoweb.com/cittadelsole/monumenti/villa_niscemi.htm Villa Niscemi - palermoweb.com]

Niscemi

Category:Baroque architecture in Palermo

Category:Renaissance architecture in Palermo