Treat yourself to a stay suspended in time in the wake of the most famous Sicilian novel
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Guests of Villa del Gattopardo Suites & Spa experience impeccable quality service. From the warm welcome upon arrival in the large and convenient reserved parking, to the Spa treatments and the discretion.
The Villa’s team share a commitment to exceed expectations and anticipate each guests individual needs.
Our professional Concierge with in-depth knowledge of Palermo’s social and cultural scene is available to arrange access to the city’s exclusive restaurants, theatres, exhibitions and cultural events.
Villa del Gattopardo
The name of the Tomasi family is indissolubly linked to one of the most famous books in the world, made immortal by the film “Il Gattopardo”, directed by Luchino Visconti. His protagonist Don Fabrizio Salina plays the role inspired by the Prince of Lampedusa and his family.
The eternal beauty and magnificence of Villa del Gattopardo seem to tell one of the most famous phrases in the book: “We were the Leopard, the Lions: who will replace us will be the Shagakalets, the hyenas; and all of you, Cat-partridges, jackals and sheep, we will continue to believe in the salt of the earth“.
The real uniqueness of the Villa is in its beauty and in the people who lived there: an eighteenth-century residence that hosted the last heir of the noble princely house, Giuseppe Tomasi, a shy and lonely man but able to eternalize – with his writing – a lifestyle that only Sicily boasts in the world.
“The meaning of a noble house is all in the traditions, in the vital memories; and he was the last to possess unusual memories, distinct from those of other families“: this quote contains the true value of Villa del Gattopardo testimony, restored to its splendour, the oldest and noblest Sicilian traditions. The last memories of Prince Tomasi of Lampedusa can come alive and vibrant thanks to the wise restoration that has been able to return a precious piece of history.
The residence is notable for stylistic choices and architectural solutions, such as the lavishness of the decorations Louis XVI, the aedicule close to the staircase with pincer according to late eighteenth century schemes, the neoclassical chapel on the ground floor below one of the terraces, the fine frescoes of the noble floor and the remarkable tempera of the lower floor by the Roman painter Gaspare Fumagalli, the stucco, the coffered ceilings with frescoes.
In 1845 the villa was bought by Giulio Tomasi IV, Prince of Lampedusa, with compensation paid by the Bourbon government following the expropriation of the island of Lampedusa, where an astronomical observatory was set up to support his astronomical ambitions.
The interior decoration is the triumph of perspective illusion: trompe l’oeil in monochrome grey, frescoes of vaults, walls and overlays according to a gracious rococo taste, enriched by stucco, often flex to neoclassical influences.
Villa del Gattopardo is not only a splendid residential residence, but the most true expression of an era that has become legend in Sicily, the age of the Gattopardi.
Discover our 10 suites, all decorated with period furniture. Each represents an Italian and Sicilian furnishing experience, with discreet comfort and luxury
Visit the rooms
Lampedusa’s palatial residence
Villa del Gattopardo returns to its former glory after a careful conservative restoration, aimed at redeveloping the internal and external spaces of the house, in full respect of the original structure of the site. The large courtyard offers immediate access to the hotel reception and the Spa, a wellness corner always available to guests with a wide range of treatments.
The sumptuous facade of the Villa is characterized by a wide double-arm staircase, which gives the court an impressive appearance. The central body is “extended” thanks to the two low bodies of the Villa. Nowadays, elegant suites characterized by period furnishings is what make each room absolutely unique and exclusive.
From your arrival you will have the feeling of experiencing the eighteenth-century atmosphere typical of Sicilian hospitality of the time: the internal flooring of the Villa, the wonderful coffered ceilings and the sumptuous frescoes by Fumagalli that entirely decorate the walls of the house, will give you a stay suspended in time and unforgettable emotions in the wake of the most famous Sicilian novel, “The Leopard”, which was conceived here by its author, Giuseppe Lanza Tomasi di Lampedusa.
The Scents Garden
Villa del Gattopardo was born at the dawn of the 18th century as a summer residence thanks to its exceptional location, in the “Piana dei Colli”, the heart of the Conca d’oro.
The garden surrounding the Villa is a true paradise of mediterranean vegetation, a triumph of smells and colors: orange, mandarin, lemon, olive, jasmine and orange blossom trees will inebriate your senses, leaving you stunned by the beauty of the Sicilian nature.
n a corner of the park, stands the “Scents Garden”, a space dedicated to the spicy scents of the land of Sicily. In the spacious outdoor spaces of the Villa you can experience exclusive moments of relaxation and fun.
The Villa del Gattopardo staff is at your complete disposal for your brunches, garden parties, the most original aperitizers and private events tailor-made for you.
Sicilian cuisine
Genuineness and refinement, this is the inseparable combination when it comes to the aristocratic Sicilian cuisine. If in ancient times the goodness of the island table was entrusted to the Monsù, the private cooks of the aristocratic families, today our chef will enchant you with the most authentic flavors of the land, expertly elaborated at zero kilometres.
In the splendid eighteenth-century breakfast room await our seasonal jams, fragrant cakes baked by our pastry chef every day for you, up to the most tempting savory proposals. Your breakfast time will be a moment of pampering and delight for the palate, without forgetting any more specific requests for the most demanding diets.
We share some experiences and opinions of our guests