Villa Giulia description and photos - Italy: Palermo (Sicily) (Topic)

Villa Giulia description and photos - Italy: Palermo (Sicily). Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The name in English is Villa Giulia.

Photo & Description

Villa Giulia, also known as Villa del Popolo, is an urban park in Palermo, located east of the Botanical Gardens. The park was created at the initiative of the local magistrate Antonio La Grua, the Marquis of Regalmici, in 1777, and the full completion of construction work took place a year later. In 1866 the territory of the park was enlarged. Designed by Nicolo Palma and named after Giulia d'Avalos, wife of the then Viceroy Mark Anthony Colonna, it became Palermo's first public park.

The majestic entrance gate with Doric columns overlooking the Foro Italico promenade is made in a neoclassical style. True, they are always closed and therefore cannot be used to enter the park. The other gates, from Via Lincoln, are less presentable. In the very center of the villa stands a twelve-sided fountain, which is a sculpture in the form of a marble clock, created by the mathematician Lorenzo Federici, each of the 12 faces of which is a sundial. And this clock rests on the shoulders of Atlanta, made by the sculptor Ignazio Marabitti, and around there are many various metal sculptures. Next to the fountain, four exedras can be seen - semicircular deep niches designed by Giuseppe Damiani Almeida for use in musical performances. The entire central area of the park was originally intended for theater and entertainment performances.

Also on the territory of the park there were once four recreation areas, of which only two have survived. The alleys of the park are decorated with various busts of famous historical figures of Palermo. Besides, it is worth noting the marble sculptural composition "Fountain of the Spirit at Villa Giulia", depicting the so-called Spirit of Palermo - the ancient deity of the city. The fountain was created in 1778 by Ignazio Marabitti.

We also recommend reading Monument to Victor Emmanuel II (Il Vittoriano) description and photos - Italy: Rome

Topic: Villa Giulia description and photos - Italy: Palermo (Sicily).