Love Sicilian Baroque? This 18th-Century Villa Near Palermo Is for Sale

Sicily is having a moment. With The Leopard newly streaming on Netflix and high-profile travelers turning their attention to the island’s layered history, there’s no better time to talk about the grand estates that once housed its nobility. One such relic of aristocratic life—an 18th-century Sicilian Baroque villa outside Palermo—is now on the market for €5,200,000, listed with Italy Sotheby’s International Realty.

Built in the 1730s and renovated in the 1990s, this estate is a study in architectural excess. A sweeping double staircase leads to soaring salons with handcrafted ceramic floors and wrought-iron balustrades. The stucco work is as intricate as the lineage of the families who lived here, which includes Muzio Spadafora and Branciforte, Prince of Maletto. It later passed to the Bonocore family in the 19th century—one of Sicily’s many noble dynasties navigating the slow decline of aristocratic power.

At over 2,500 square meters (26,910 sq ft), the villa unfolds in layers: a grand entrance, 15 en-suite bedrooms, a private chapel, and a wellness center with a sauna, Turkish bath, and hydrotherapy pool. Outside, the 9,000-square-meter (96,875 sq ft) historic garden, once a status symbol of Sicilian nobility, is now an oasis of citrus groves and century-old flora. Beyond its walls, an additional 14,000 square meters (3.46 acres) of land provide ample space for guests—or an ambitious vineyard project.

Location is another advantage. The villa is 10 minutes from Mondello’s white sand beaches, 20 minutes from Palermo’s historic core, and equally close to Falcone Borsellino International Airport. That’s just the logistical side, though. The real draw? A chance to own a piece of an island that has seduced everyone from Norman kings to Hollywood directors.

Unlike the fictional Salina palace in The Leopard, this villa isn’t a fading relic of Sicily’s past. It’s a statement—one that seamlessly bridges aristocratic grandeur with modern luxury.

For those who understand the appeal of a place where time moves differently, where Baroque splendor meets Mediterranean ease, this is more than just a property. It’s a legacy.

All photos belong to the listing agency.