Things to do in Giardinello Italy – what to see attractions and activities

The Castle of Carini was built between the 11th century and the twelfth century on a previously Arab construction. The construction work is due to the warrior of Count Ruggiero, Rodolfo Bonello. Initially, the fortress played a defensive role but already in 1283, under the management of the Abate family, it was used as a residential structure. Subsequently, the Castle was home to a tragic story concerning the Baroness of Carini, Laura Lanza di Trabia, who was killed by her father together with her lover by question of honor on 4 December 1563.

Ram Palace or Castle was built by the homonymous noble and powerful family of Catalonia in the late 16th century. During the course of history it has changed its employment, and the structure has also undergone slight changes. One of the main functions was that of protection and defence. Today it is in excellent condition and is open to the public.

The Toledo Tower was built in 1405 by Martino the Younger. The building has a circular structure and was used to spot pirates. Work on the restoration of the tower began in 2007 and ended in 2008.

The Capo Rama Nature Reserve was established in 2000 on behalf of the WWF Italia Onlus. The reserve covers fifty-seven hectares of area. In the area you can see limestone rocks dating back 200 million years ago, rich in fossils and corals that populated the seabed. The flora is composed of specimens of Olivastro and a rare species of Sicilian Thorny Oak.

The Mulinazzo Tower was built in 1552 by Viceroy Juan de Vega. In 1584 the tower was completed, and today it is presented on a pyramidal trunk structure.

The Tower of Cape Rama had a defensive and sighting function of the Saracen ships. It is the oldest tower of the 11 that were part of the defensive wall. It did not resist the bombings of war, and therefore it was destroyed, today we can only see the remains of it.

The Torre Alba also known as Torre di Cala Rossa is a defensive structure with a truncated conic base and dates back to 1589. Over the years the tower passed into the hands of several owners, until 2000, when after some restorations it became the property of the Prince of Carini.

Torre Muzza was built during the course around the 16th and 17th centuries and was also called Torrazza. Its function was purely defensive of the Sicilian coast and was in visual connection with the Tower of Isola delle Femmine and with two other towers in the area. It is currently in a state of disrepair and only the base remains of the original structure.

Torre Ciachea or Ciachia is located in the locality of Carini. This type of construction was built because the area was very swampy and swampy and therefore there was a need to have buildings that were raised and allow the cultivation of the products of the area. Today it is privately owned and is used for events, such as ceremonies or weddings.

The Tonnara dell'Ursa tower is a coastal defense tower, located in the Municipality of Cinisi, in Palermo. In 1401 the building was owned by the Abbey of San Martino delle Scale. Currently, the whole complex, including the tower, are owned by the Municipality of Cinisi.

It makes one of the magnificent monuments in Palermo. The Monreale was built in 1172 by King William II. With Moorish-Norman art, the building is one to marvel at. Though the exterior part is attractive, the splendour within is unimaginable. The Romanesque bronze doors conspicuous and one can easily notice them while touring the area.

Villa Napoli, located in Palermo, is a building that dates back to the seventeenth century. Initially it arose as a Norman tower and today it incorporates within itself the remains of Soprana Cuba. Over the years it was modified and expanded. It takes its name from its owner Carlo of Naples. In the early 1700s it was abandoned and was robbed repeatedly. Only in 1991 it was sold by the family of origin to the Sicilian Region who took care of returning it to its original magnificence with renovation works. Today, the reopening is expected to be able to visit it again.

The Capuchin Catacombs are located under the Capuchin Convent, annexed to the Church of Santa Maria della Pace. These are built on structures already existing at the time. The galleries were excavated at the end of the 16th century and formed a large cemetery of rectangular shape.

The building was build on 1180 and originally used as a leper’s hospital.its actual intention as to why it was built is however not clearly known.

The Zisa Castle is very well preserved. In its rooms there are some significant artifacts that belong to Islamic art. It is also possible to visit a beautiful garden, completely restored, with its characteristic bathtub and its spells. The Castle gives the opportunity to be visited by everyone thanks to a continued time.

The Villa Malfitano Whitaker in Palermo was built between 1885 and 1889 at the behest of Giuseppe Whitaker. The villa is in Neo-Renaissance style with three floors. In addition, it must be remembered that this villa is beautifully decorated and in its rooms we can admire beautiful paintings, porcelain, Flemish tapestries and many other art objects that the owner has collected on his countless travels. The building is well preserved and is among the most beautiful in the province. It is currently the headquarters of the Whitmer Foundation.

Famous throughout the world thanks to its five red domes. Church of 'charming oriental style, it would suit even to Baghdad or Damascus. Wonderful is also the cloister with its lush garden.

Created in 1799, it has arched arcades on the ground floor and two side towers with spiral staircases. The terrace has wooden beams carved at the top dominate the building, a curious pagoda-shaped roof with decorated ceiling.

Owned by the Fondazione Banco di Sicilia, 1958 there are on display findings from, mostly, the necropolis in Sicily. In addition, it owns ceramics, collections of numismatics and philately.

The building of 1615 owes its name to the Marquis Giuseppe Asmundo. It houses the Martorana collection, consisting of porcelain, pottery, weapons, carriages and sedans, as well as a rich display of postcards.

Built in 1330 by Matteo Sclafani it has a beautiful facade with high arches and fine lancet windows. The famous fresco of the Triumph of Death painted in the fifteenth in the courtyard.

The museum was founded in 1860 and it is housed in the department of geology and geodesy of the University of Palermo. The museum boasts a collection of 600,000pieces among which you can see paleontological findings, fossils and casts.

the monumental theatre is in neoclassical style and it was opened in the late 1800. It has a capacity of 1400 seats and here are held operas, ballets and concerts. There is a program of guided tours behind the scenes, on stage and in the royal lounge.

One of the oldest theaters in the city, here are held theater productions of various kinds. Officially opened in 1891 with Verdi's Otello, it hosted the maestro Toscanini as conductor. Remarkable is the architecture and the works that adorn it.

Located in the church of Santa Maria di Montevergini, it welcomes local contemporary artists with the intent to exploit the emerging realities. It hosts the Palermo Teatro Festival,  where Palermitan actors of national importance, meet up.

Born in 1910 in the foyer of the Politeama, today it is located in the monumental complex of St. Anne. It houses a permanent collection, comprising 214 works including paintings and sculptures, ranging from Neoclassicism to Italian and Sicilian twentieth century.

The Palazzo Speciale-Raffadali in Palermo was built in 1468. Unfortunately, between the 17th and 18th centuries it was demolished and rebuilt by the Raffadali family, who owned it. The style is catalanizing and with elements dating back to the '400, the '600 and '700. Two peculiarities to mention are: the niche that is located on top with a bust attributed to Domenico Gagini. The other thing is that inside the building there is a secret garden hidden by high walls.

The Fountain was built by the sculptor F.Camilliani in 1554 on commission by Don Luigi di Toledo. The Fountain consisted of 48 statues, depicting Greek gods, and its size was unusual since it was not intended for a public space. It consists of three circular pools from which a beautiful water play begins.

The Martorana Church, also called the church of Santa Maria dell'Ammiraglio or San Nicolò dei Greci, is among the most fascinating Byzantine churches of the Middle Ages in Italy, and works the liturgy according to the Byzantine rite.

Second-biggest church in Palermo after the Cathedral. A typical baroque-style church of the middle of the nineteenth century; it became the pantheon of illustrious Sicilians who began to be buried in this sacred place, so fascinating.

Originally it was placed in an intermediate position between the gorgeous Massimo andpopular Politeama. Built in traditional style with Art Nouveau accents, it was opened in1903. Today it boasts a rich program of dramas.

Opened in 1918 with a collection of objects collected during the Great War, it was reopened after extensive renovations in 2010. The exhibit includes many findings such as weapons, garibaldine uniforms and the parliamentary bench of Crispi.

The Palazzo Roccella in Palermo is located in the historic center and is a noble palace that belongs to the '500. Its name comes from its owners who were called La Gruta, Rivaroli and Vanni, but throughout the area they were known as the princes of Roccella. Today the building is divided into 17 mini apartments rented. The building is in excellent condition.

Palazzo Vanni belonged in the 17th century to the Vanni family. Today the palace is called by another name, Morana. The structure has undergone restoration in recent years. In the facade of the building you can still admire the remains of capitals and columns, as well as arches dating back to the nineteenth century.

Inaugurated in December 2008, the “Casa Museo Stanze al Genio”, which takes its name from the homonymous Cultural Association, collects one of the largest collections in Europe of ancient Neapolitan and Sicilian majolica tiles with more than 2300 specimens on display.

It belonged to the family Filangeri Palace; Palazzo Mirto witnesses history and Sicilian society. In fact, all the objects on display belonged to the inhabitants of the palace. The collection includes, among other things, weapons, ceramics, glasses, paintings.

Active in the city since 1968, here are held contemporary theater productions also by unpublished authors. See the 'Incontroazione/ Teatro Festival', which welcomes representations from all over the world. It houses the theater workshops and numerous university seminars.

Palazzo Sambuca in Palermo has been renovated for a few years now due to its poor condition. It is now among the most beautiful buildings in the surrounding area, especially because it is very old.

In the place where initially there was a votive chapel, it was erected in 1520 the present church, a perfect match between the Catalan Gothic late Renaissance style. Inside two wonderful works by unknown authors.

The existence of Palazzo Chiaramonte, otherwise known as Palazzo Steri, is due to the name of Count Manfredi Chiaramonte who, in the fourteenth century, began its construction from the ceiling of the Sala Magna. The square-shaped building is a middle street between a medieval castle and a patrician residence. For more than a century, the palace housed the offices of the Inquisition Tribunal. Thanks to the excavations, a monument was discovered in the basement about seven meters high.

The Sanctuary was born in the cave where on 15 July 1624 the bones of Santa Rosalia were found, who had moved there to escape the veneration of the pilgrims. The Sanctuary has a façade built in 1600 and an 'open' dome leading to the gate that introduces to the cave

The Museum of the Sea was opened in 1997, is located inside the ancient Arsenal. The Arsenal was built by Palermo architect Mariano Smiriglio in just 9 years, between 1621 and 1630 and was completed under the vicereame of Francisco Fernández de La Cueva Duke of Alburquerque.

The Saracen towers are fortifications that date back to Roman times, with greater expansion in the Kingdom of Naples. We can distinguish these buildings in defense and sighting towers. Over the centuries the towers have often changed shape, moving from a circular shape to a square, this for strategic reasons, in fact needed them to defend against the attacks of cannon blows.