Palazzo Forcella De Seta

The story

The palace was built in the 19th century on top of the old city walls, beside Porta dei Greci, overlooking the seafront promenade of the Foro Italico. Baron Enrico Forcella commissioned it from the architect Emmanuele Palazzotto; it later passed to the De Seta family, hence the double name.

It is one of the most curious expressions of the eclectic taste of the period: behind a fairly compact façade lie rooms in neo-Moorish style, with arches, stucco and decoration inspired by the Alhambra, others in neo-Gothic and Pompeian style, and a terrace towards the sea.

After a long period of neglect it was bought and restored by the Palermo builders’ association, which now uses it as its headquarters and for events, conferences and exhibitions.

Why it is worth it

If you manage to get in, the Moorish hall takes you by surprise: interlaced arches, bright colours and a filtered light that seems to come from Granada rather than Palermo. Even from outside it deserves a stop: from the Foro Italico you see the palace resting on the walls, with its terraces towards the sea, and you understand how the 19th century used the old fortifications as a pedestal.