Stunning, prestigious noble palace built in the Napoleon III style around 1875.
The façade is entirely carved in white stone, with richly decorated jambs (ovals, acanthus leaves, regular Greek motifs, and geometric segments), and a central balcony bearing the noble coat of arms of the Pennisi di Floristella family, who commissioned the building.
The original large solid wood door is topped by a wrought iron cornice with floral and classical Robbia-style scroll decorations.
A majestic entrance staircase, crafted from various types of marble and decorated with stuccoes of unique elegance.
Original banister with classical and floral motifs.
Three flights of stairs and three landings: lower, intermediate, and upper. The area is bright thanks to the central upper windows and the balcony (with antique railings and fixtures) overlooking the internal courtyard.
Double entrance with original doors. Capodimonte floors and frescoes featuring the Pennisi coat of arms in the first room to the left, and faunal-themed decorations with gold leaf scrolls in the second room.
To the right upon entry is an immense reception hall, approximately ten by ten meters, richly decorated. It features a stunning raised Capodimonte majolica tile floor, specially made for the palace and its patrons. A unique work, with fauna, geometric, and floral themes. The central medallion depicts the Greek god Pan and the Maenads (followers of Dionysus), symbolizing fertility, harmony with nature, and regeneration.
A colossal ceiling painted in trompe-l'œil, simulating an open classical-style space populated with various figures and symbols.
The Arts. The greatest poets of all time. Philosophers. Then flower vases, cherubs, still lifes, birds, and gold-leaf-finished geometric figures. These themes are echoed in the stunning decorative panels above the doors.
The palace spans two floors, both customizable to suit any taste or need. There is a large inner terrace accessible from the upper floor and a second terrace/attic, offering spectacular views of the sea, Mount Etna, and the dome of the Basilica of San Sebastiano.
From a stylistic perspective—essential for accurately assessing the aesthetic and iconographic context of this exquisite residence, and its proper commercial value—it’s important to note that the Napoleon III or Second Empire style originated in France during the reign of Napoleon III and defined art and architecture between 1852 and 1870 (and well beyond, especially in the rest of Europe and Italy). During this period, France experienced remarkable economic prosperity, regaining military strength reminiscent of the Napoleonic era.
The wealth and euphoria of grandeur were reflected in the furnishings and architectural works of the time: characterized by a taste for luxury, opulence, and aristocratic and monarchical self-glorification. There was also a strong fascination with past eras, whose distinctive elements were imitated and mixed together to create a new style—driven by the desire to surpass the achievements of previous centuries.
The Second Empire style belongs to the eclectic phase that defined Italy and many European countries in the second half of the 19th century. However, it developed distinct characteristics, becoming a variation of its own. There was a revival of the Retour d’Égypte style, which had been popular at the beginning of the 1800s during Napoleon Bonaparte’s Egyptian campaigns.
The climate of economic prosperity and industrial growth inspired a return to works renowned for their quality and technical perfection—such as those in the Louis XVI and Neoclassical styles.
In essence, the Napoleon III style incorporated numerous elements from past eras, especially drawing from the more austere forms of the First Empire, but reinterpreted with a lighter and more refined touch—reflecting the socio-cultural and economic landscape of late 19th-century France.
This perfectly captures the style and cultural context of this exceptional residence.
A triumph of eclectic beauty in the heart of Acireale.
