The Palazzina Cinese, also known as the Real Casina Cinese, is an ancient royal residence in Palermo located in the parco della Favorita, on the edge of Riserva di monte Pellegrino.
The building is a perfect example of the interest in Oriental art that began in the 1600s. The original core of the building, dating to 1790, was a wood and stone residence with Chinese style decorations, used by Baron Della Scala as a hunting lodge. The present-day look of the building derives from the design by architect Giuseppe Venanzio Marvuglia who, commissioned by King Ferdinand IV, began work in 1799, retaining the Oriental style.
The central building has a pagoda roof supported by an octagonal drum, while the apartments are distributed over three storeys, rising above a ground floor decorated with pointed arches and small towers with winding staircases. The second floor held the Queen’s apartments, which included two reception antechambers and a bedchamber while the top floor has an octagonal terrace whose pagoda roof has a decorated ceiling.
Today the building belongs to the Municipality of Palermo.
Sicilia Film Commission
Via Emanuele Notarbartolo 9 — 90141 Palermo
Phone: +39 091 7078008; +39 091 7078264; +39 091 7078133; +39 091 7078145
Email: filmcommission@regione.sicilia.it
