Bagheria between Villas, Art and Coast

Bagheria combines historic villas, art, access to the sea and Sicilian culinary tradition. Villa Palagonia is considered the most important symbol of Sicily’s suburban Baroque architecture and was built in 1715 as a place for relaxation and summer retreat.

Historic Villas and Art in Bagheria

Villa Palagonia is best known for its bizarre monster figures and is visited because of these statues. Prince Francesco Ferdinando Gravina e Alliata commissioned them from unknown sculptors from 1747 onwards.

Villa Cattolica was built in 1736. Since 1973, its piano nobile has housed the Museo Guttuso. Since 2004, the museum has also included a permanent exhibition on film poster art with more than 400 donated film posters, which can be viewed year-round in the outbuildings of Villa Cattolica.

Villa Sant’Isidoro De Cordova dates back to 1648. Its enfilade-style interiors are accessed via a monumental flight of steps. Portraits of the family’s ancestors hang in the reception rooms. A telephone reservation at 3311581081 is required to visit the Casa Museo Villa Sant’Isidoro De Cordova.

The S.U.T.E. in Palazzo Butera is Bagheria’s first point of contact for tourist assistance.

Trails in Parco di Monte Catalfano and by the Sea

Above Bagheria’s built-up area, Parco di Monte Catalfano extends across approximately 274 hectares. The trails are considered moderately difficult to easy on foot and suitable for people with some physical training. By car, the route can be reached as far as halfway.

Cala dell’Osta, popularly known as Cala delle Tre Piscine, is an access point to the sea from Bagheria on Sicily’s Tyrrhenian coast. Both names refer to the same access point to the sea. Its rocky seabed is suitable for snorkeling and diving.

Sfincione and Local Culture

Sfincione closely connects Bagheria with Palermo’s culinary tradition and is considered a symbol of local popular cuisine. The Sfincione Festival is dedicated to this specialty with show cooking, tastings, animation, entertainment and performances. Show cooking and tastings place the dish itself at the center, while animation, entertainment and performances complement the program.

The Museo del Giocattolo e delle Cere “Pietro Piraino” pursues, among other objectives, the goal of encouraging children to engage in intercultural education.

Villa Palagonia Opening Hours

Villa Palagonia is open to the public daily, including public holidays, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The last admission is 30 minutes before closing. An individual guided tour can be booked on request. The split opening hours make it possible to plan a visit with a break at lunchtime.

More destinations:Capaci, Torretta, Piana Degli Albanesi, Corleone, Collesano, Terrasini, Cefalù, Trappeto

To the main travel overview: Palermo.