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Since ever, an excursion to a nobleman’s residence meant a visit to a world of princely large interiors and magnificent decorations, a world of luxury and grace. The elegance of the aristocratic environment proves to be perennial, constantly pulling in admirers of this elitist environment. Usually, these residences are closed to the public. Some of them bear the alterations of their owners, others remain intact and closed until further notice while others are used for contemporary pompous events that look like trials to recreate former times of aristocratic grace. Only few of them are presently open to the public eye, this way giving an accurate idea of the nobiliary lifestyle.

Amongst the Sicilian palaces that open their doors to the spectators stands the majestic Palazzo Mirto (Mirto Palace), one of Palermo’s aristocratic households. It was built in the late years of the 18th century on the site of 13th and 14th centuries foundations. In present times, the edifice succeeds in recreating past ages when the Filangeri family used to inhabit the palace.

The Filangeri was a privileged Norman family with renowned origins and legendary predecessors. Along the years, the construction suffered various transformations, according to the owners’ desires. In 1982 the last inheritor, Maria Concetta Filangeri, donated the palace to the local authorities.

The present design holds few elements of past ages due to various, successive restorations. Amazingly, elements from the 13th century were discovered during some restoration work. They were identified as typical elements of the houses owned by the Resolmini family that at a certain point got under the ownership of the Filangeris, as a result of a marriage.

The 17th century is hardly represented because of the massive modifications from 1793. The first floor was mostly rearranged and a portal was added, the one that marks Merlo Street. Also, the second floor became a target for rearrangements, this way offering more privacy to the family’s members.

Streaming the palace becomes a vivid journey amongst all kinds of artistic handcrafts. The furniture steals the eye due to the fine work of local artisans while numerous artistic domains are well represented by objects that complete the displayed art collections. The refined tastes of former owners become clear with every detail. The large majestic salons are embellished with silky panels, numerous frescoes, rare paintings and beautifully made tapestries and draperies.

The Salottino Cinese (the Chinese Salon) is definitely the most outstanding of them all. It reveals in every little detail the sophisticated tastes that the nobles used to live by. Black lacquer, a trompe l’oeil ceiling and daily life scenes represented by paintings on silk walls reflect the enviable economic and social position that the aristocracy used to enjoy. This is where the family members and their guests used to gather after dinner and talk or play cards and smoke. Several other smoking rooms display embossed leather and mosaic floors that inspire extreme elegance and refinement. Inside Sala degli Arazzi a wonderful mythological world was represented by painter Giuseppe Velasco who turned the interior into a breathtaking elegant drawing room in 1804.

A surprising finding was a room in which were stored impressive plates from the 19th century trimmed with different party costumes. Each plate was given to its designated character during masked balls.

A vanished world of noblewomen and boyars is presented to the curious eye in this outstanding piece of aristocratic heaven. Only the visual experience is now left for the public, and it is definitely worth it, especially since there aren’t too many open places of this kind in the world.