Royal Palace of Ficuzza
| Royal Palace of Ficuzza | |
|---|---|
Real Casina di Caccia di Ficuzza | |
 Royal Palace of Ficuzza façade | |
 | |
| Alternative names | Reggia di Ficuzza |
| General information | |
| Status | now used as a museum |
| Type | Palace |
| Architectural style | Neo-Classical |
| Location | Corleone, Italy |
| Construction started | 1802 |
| Completed | 1807 |
| Client | Ferdinand I of Bourbon |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 3 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Carlo Chenchi, Giuseppe Venanzio Marvuglia |
Invalid designation | |
| Official name | Real Casina di Caccia di Ficuzza |
| Type | Non-movable |
| Criteria | Monument |
| State Party | Italy |
The Royal Palace of Ficuzza or Reggia or Real Casina di Caccia (hunting lodge) of Ficuzza, near the town of Corleone, located some 45 kilometers from Palermo, Sicily, was commissioned by Ferdinand I of Bourbon during his exile in Sicily starting after the establishment of the Parthenopean Republic in 1798.[1]
Ferdinand returned to the mainland but was then exiled again by French forces, and the mainland portion of his kingdom was ruled by Joachim Murat till 1815.[1] He had the palace built near the Royal Hunting reserve in 1802, and it was completed in 1810. The designers included the engineer Carlo Chenchi and later the Neoclassical architect Giuseppe Venanzio Marvuglia. Among those completing the fresco decoration were Giuseppe Velasco and B. Cotardi.[citation needed]
Ultimately, with the fall of the Bourbons, the house fell into disuse and was subject to depredation by various owners and hosts, including occupying armies during World War II. The palace has recently been opened to visitors, including the tunnels that lead into the surrounding forest.[2][3]
The austere exteriors of the palace harmonize with one of its roles as a hunting lodge. Some of the interiors, however, have decorative flourishes, such as Egyptian-style columns.[citation needed] The entire ensemble has a spirit of wasteful frivolity, given that it was commissioned by a king in exile ruling a crumbling monarchy and an impoverished kingdom during the age of the Napoleonic Wars.[citation needed]
References
- ^ a b Davis, John (2006). Naples and Napoleon: Southern Italy and the European Revolutions, 1780-1860. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780198207559.
- ^ Palermo tourism office Palazzo Reale di Ficuzza.
- ^ YouTube slide tour of the palace and its chapel.
