The Florio family , called “Regants without a crown” or “the Lions of Sicily”, were one of the most powerful and famous families who dominated the scenes of the cultural and economic life of Sicily between the end of the 19th and 20th centuries. A tour to discover the  Villino Florio unique place of Sicilian Liberty and the events of the Florio family. The villa was built by the architect Ernesto Basile, who decided to dedicate its construction to his wife Ida, between 1899 and 1902, at the behest of the powerful Florio family. It is one of the first architectural works in Art Nouveau style in Italy and is considered one of the masterpieces of Art Nouveau at European level. Given the cosmopolitan and great traveler attitude of Vincenzo Florio, Basile decided to recreate, through the various elements of the building, all the stages touched by the rich bourgeois: baroque surfaces, typically Nordic trusses, cylindrical turrets that recall French castles etc. Once the family’s flourishing period ended, the villa fell into disuse until the fire of 1962 which damaged part of the interior.

During the tour we will try to trace a profile of the family members: from the founder Vincenzo Florio, the creator of the myth, up to his sons Ignazio and Vincenzo who together with Donna Franca Florio were the great protagonists of the Sicilian Belle époque. During the journey, the characters who were close to the Florios in a unique era of the Felicissima Palermo will also be mentioned.

On request Florio tours to be integrated into the Florio places in Palermo.

Details :

• Number of passengers: min 2
  Cost: 45 euros p.p. 2 to 3 people
  35 euros p.p. 3 -4 people
  30  euros p.p. 5 to 6 people
  25 euros p.p. 6 to 8   pax
  20 euros p.p. 9 to 10   pax
  Cost includes: guided tour