Eighteenth-century Sicilian palace once resided Marie Antoinette's sister, exuding grandeur and royal elegance.

The Renovated Palazzina Cinese: A Glimpse into Royal Sicilian History

The Palazzina Cinese, nestled at the foot of Mount Pellegrino in Palermo, Sicily, has undergone a remarkable transformation after a twenty-year restoration project. This unique monument, now under the care of the Italian state, offers a captivating glimpse into the lives of King Ferdinand I and Queen Maria Carolina, who found refuge in Sicily in 1798, fleeing from Napoleon's advance.

Originally, the Palazzina Cinese was Baron Lombardo's Chinese pavilion, which was acquired and transformed under the guidance of architect Giuseppe Venanzio Marvuglia. The transformation included an oriental style with chinoiserie interior design, popular at the time, and a blend of Chinese and neoclassical influences, resulting in an eclectic architecture that is truly one-of-a-kind.

Upon entering the Palazzina Cinese, one is immediately struck by the queen's apartments, inspired by "One Thousand and One Nights." The rooms feature neoclassical paintings with airs of Pompeii, creating an atmosphere that is both exotic and familiar. The queen's apartments consist of two living rooms, a bedroom with a dressing room, and a richly decorated bathroom.

The dining room, located on the first floor, is a highlight of the Palazzina Cinese. It features Marvuglia's 'mathematical table,' a unique piece of furniture that adds to the building's historical charm.

The top floor of the Palazzina Cinese boasts a large terrace covered by a pagoda with a decorated ceiling. The terrace offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, making it an ideal spot for parties, hunts, and ceremonies, as Queen Maria Carolina once used it to alleviate her boredom during her exile.

The royal couple held court in Palermo, and the Palazzina Cinese was a central part of their lives. King Ferdinand III of Bourbon, who inhabited the Palazzina Cinese in the 19th century, continued this tradition. However, after the royal couple returned to Palermo in 1806, the Palazzina Cinese was gradually abandoned.

Since 1909, an outbuilding has housed the Ethnographic Museum Giuseppe Pitrè in the Palazzina Cinese. The ground floor contains a Louis XVI-style ballroom and small audience chambers, while the first floor features a reception room adorned with Chinese-style painted fabrics and the king's bedroom with a vaulted ceiling.

Behind the Palazzina Cinese lies an Italian-style garden with fountains and century-old trees, providing a serene and picturesque setting for the historic building. The successful restoration has returned the Palazzina Cinese to its former glory, offering visitors a chance to step back in time and experience a piece of Sicilian royal history.

Eighteenth-century Sicilian palace once resided Marie Antoinette's sister, exuding grandeur and royal elegance.