Since its recent opening, the Utveggio Castle, a liberty palace resembling a neo-Gothic castle, located on Mount Pellegrino overlooking Palermo, has attracted more than a thousand visitors. Starting today, the beautiful park surrounding the building will also be open to the public.
The visit features a tour of the spacious rooms, the library and spectacular terraces. It includes a visit to the room on the third floor where Pope John Paul II stayed on November 23, 1995. The room has since remained the same and hasn’t been occupied by anyone else.
On the second floor, the tour stops at the “Board of Directors” room, the Collura Room, where a photo exhibit shows the political figures who have stayed at the castle (previously a hotel), and the President Room. The visit concludes on the terraces. Here, visitors will enjoy the same spectacular view from Mount Pellegrino that Goethe, in its “Italian Journey” book, described as the most beautiful in the world. The most panoramic spot is the lookout tower where telescopes have been placed so visitors can admire the Teatro Massimo, the Politeama Theater, the villas and the Favorita Park.
The palace was originally built in the 1920s to serve as a luxury hotel, but it wasn't successful and had to close down. It was later acquired by the region and restored, and finally opened to the public.
Reservations are required. To buy your ticket, visit www.cerisdi.it.
