Palazzo Bonelli-Patané

Palazzo Bonelli-Patanè is a historic residence on Via Francesco Mormino Penna in Scicli, with a restrained exterior that gives little away about its richly decorated rooms. Inside, look for Liberty-style paintings and frescoes, antique furnishings, and the blue and yellow light through the grilles beside the marble staircase. The rooms are arranged to suggest how the family lived there, and a terrace looks over the internal garden and across town. Allow about 20 minutes for a visit through the palace.

A plain facade, ornate rooms

Palazzo Bonelli-Patanè stands on Via Francesco Mormino Penna. Its exterior is comparatively austere, but inside, neoclassical details sit alongside Liberty and Neo-Gothic decoration. The contrast becomes clear as you move from the street into the furnished rooms.

The residence preserves the feel of a lived-in home, with beds, chairs and antique furniture arranged through its rooms. Its interiors reflect the opulent household of a prominent Scicli family. The building remained inhabited until 2011.

Paintings, staircase and garden views

Look for the Liberty-style wall and ceiling paintings, along with frescoes on the main staircase and in rooms including the ballroom, lounges, dining room and master bedroom. The palace also has a substantial collection of religious icons. A marbled staircase receives blue and yellow light through its decorated windows.

From the terrace, you can see the internal garden and the town beyond. The building’s exterior does not prepare you for the amount of decoration inside, so leave time to explore the rooms at an unhurried pace.