Palazzo Oneto di Sperlinga - Palermo

This is one of the oldest palaces in the city and a jewel from the 16th century.

At the beginning of the 19th century , it passed into the hands of the Burgios, Dukes of Villafiorita, who opened the exclusive aristocratic club of the 'Conversazioni del Fiore' (Flowerful Conversations), where beautiful parties and shows of Neapolitan masks were organized during carnival, where Ferdinand III was also present.

In the mid-century it became the headquarters of the Convitto Lancasteriano (Lancasterian boarding school) and the warehouse of a textile company, 'Zingone e Bonomolo'.

After ambitious restoration work, it has become a contemporary art hub that welcomes visitors, tourists and others.

Beyond the portal on Via Bandiera one enters the small courtyard from which the monumental staircase rises, under an octagonal skylight; the ceilings of the piano nobile were painted by Gaspare Serenario, but the Fumagalli also intervened.

Willem Vandenameele