Villa Palagonia: the villa of monsters

Villa Palagonia is a baroque villa of the '700 located in Bagheria (PA), built by the Prince of Gravina, also known as' Villa dei Mostri' due to the numerous statues of anthropomorphic and monstrous figures. Villa Palagonia has hosted numerous illustrious personalities, such as Dalì, Guttuso and Goethe; it has also been chosen as the location for many films. The prince's nephew, Ferdinando Francesco II, nicknamed “the necromancer”, commissioned the particular statues. Originally the statues were more than two hundred, but today only sixty-two remain. Obviously these strange sculptures have given rise to many legends over time; it is especially believed that they have a powerful pernicious influence on men. Once built, they would begin to cause abortions or monstrous births in women. Very particular is the double flight entrance staircase, made of limestone, under the magnificent princely coat of arms of the Gravina family. The main floor is accessed by a frescoed vestibule with scenes depicting the labors of Hercules, and on the right opens the Gallery or Hall of Mirrors, with the ceiling entirely covered with mirrors and paintings depicting a balustrade with the sky above and fantastic birds. The Villa is currently private property, but it is possible to visit some wings.