Villa Malfitano Whitaker
Nineteenth-century villa of the Whitaker family in Palermo, with reception rooms, Flemish tapestries and a botanical park of about eight hectares.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Villa Malfitano was commissioned by Joseph Whitaker and his wife Tina Scalia on the Malfitano estate, today via Dante 167. Designed by the architect Ignazio Greco, it was built between 1885 and 1889. Whitaker pursued three passions: ornithology, botany and archaeology; after his death the annex of the park, which had been the residence of his father-in-law Alfonso Scalia, became an ornithology museum.
The ground floor, devoted to reception rooms, includes the ballroom, the Louis XV drawing room, the summer hall frescoed by Ettore De Maria Bergler, the coral room and the dining room. The grand staircase holds 16th-century Flemish tapestries with the stories of Aeneas. The collections include Trapani coral, ivories, silverware, porcelain, a pair of cloisonné enamel elephants and an 18th-century harpsichord. The second floor contains the family’s private apartments with a large library.
The park of about eight hectares was designed by the botanist Emilio Kunzmann and is a kind of private botanical garden, with plants from Africa, Sumatra, Australia and Latin America; magnolias and a large dragon tree (Dracaena) stand out. Today the villa is run by the Fondazione Giuseppe Whitaker, which also looks after the island of Mozia.
Highlights
- 16th-century Flemish tapestries on the grand staircase
- Summer hall frescoed by Ettore De Maria Bergler
- Pair of cloisonné enamel elephants
- Trapani coral, ivories and silverware
- Botanical park of about eight hectares designed by Emilio Kunzmann
Permanent exhibition
- Villa e parco Whitaker – Guided visit to the reception rooms, the staircase with the Flemish tapestries and the private apartments, with the botanical park.
- Operated by
- Fondazione Giuseppe Whitaker
- Visitors per year
- approx. 20,536
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €15 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €6under-18s and students. |
| Children & teens | €6free up to age 5 · Free admission up to age 5; reduced rate for ages 6 to 17. |
| Groups (10+ people) | –10% discount for groups of at least 10 people with online booking and a dedicated code. |
| Families | –For every two full-price adult tickets, one reduced ticket is free. |
| Combined ticket Villa Malfitano and Mozia Island | €25Reduced €11. |
| Annual membership card | €50Personal, one year of free entry to Villa Malfitano and Mozia; not valid for events. |
The €15 ticket covers the villa and the park. The annual membership card does not include access to events.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: no information
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
The park can also be visited by accompanied people with reduced mobility; a ramp for the interior of the villa is planned shortly and, in the meantime, staff help visitors with mobility difficulties. It is advisable to give notice in advance by writing to info@fondazionewhitaker.it.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
The Foundation’s website states that the area is served by buses 106, 134, 110, N5 and N3.
Amenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The villa can only be visited with Foundation staff; the visit lasts about 45 minutes and takes place with at least 4 participants. The park can be visited with free access or on a guided tour. |
