To spot Palazzo Ziino, look for a grand neoclassical building with tall, elegant windows, rows of charming balconies, and four fluted Corinthian columns standing proudly on the front.
Now, as you stand right in front of this majestic palace, picture the scene here in Palermo at the end of the 19th century-horses clop by on cobblestone streets, and everyone’s talking about the magnificent new building ordered by Ottavio Ziino, a man who never did things by halves. He had a vision for a home that would wow everyone, and with a bit of financial magic from Vincenzo Florio Jr. and the brainpower of his architect brother Nunzio, Palazzo Ziino opened its doors in 1895. For decades, the Ziino family called this place home, with grand parties echoing up through the noble floors, and whispers in the servants' quarters above. But don’t get too cozy-by the 1960s, like forgotten leftovers in a grand old fridge, Palazzo Ziino was sold to the state, and by the 1980s, its glory had seriously faded. Palermo’s city council bought it just in time for its 100th birthday, but honestly, it was so run-down you could almost hear it sigh.
During the big restoration, the insides got a makeover to make space for art exhibitions. Imagine peeling wallpaper, missing paintings, and old fireplaces-some designed by the famous Giuseppe Damiani Almeyda-just waiting to tell their stories. The grand decor suffered from thieves, removals, and time, but the spirit lingered, especially in the fabulous “gipsoteca,” a secret stash of plaster sculptures from Sicily’s top artists-opened only for special occasions. On days like those, you might just hear the faint sound of chattering art lovers, maybe even a ghostly lawyer, peeking down to see if his home is ready for another century of stories.
Intrigued by the architecture, decorations or the the plaster cast gallery? Explore further by joining me in the chat section below.
