Palazzo Butera

The story

Palazzo Butera stretches along the Foro Italico, facing the sea, and is one of Palermo’s great noble palaces. Built in the 17th century for the Branciforte family, princes of Butera, it was enlarged and redecorated in the 18th century after a fire.

From the walkway above the old walls, which the palace absorbs, the family watched the sea and the festivities on the Marina.

In 2016 the building was bought by Massimo and Francesca Valsecchi, who restored it and opened it to the public in 2021 to hold their collection.

Why it is worth it

It is a palace that shows its own restoration: in some rooms the stratigraphy is left exposed, so you see three centuries of plaster and colour in layers. Then the collection sets contemporary work beside old furniture and frescoes. And the terrace over the Foro Italico gives one of the best views of the sea in Palermo.