The Villa
Dimora storica dove il tempo si fa incanto
Villa Manganelli Biscari dates back to the eighteenth century, during the reconstruction work following the earthquake of 1693 that struck a large part of eastern Sicily.
History and structure
The site hosted a single building set in the middle of a vast agricultural estate. In the first half of the 18th century, as was the custom of the nobility of the time, Ignazio Paternò Castello, 5th Prince of Biscari, chose this residence as a personal place of ’retreat“, where he could dedicate himself to scientific experimentation on plants, animals and minerals, but above all surround himself with testimonies of the past unearthed during excavations promoted by him and on his travels in search of traces of antiquity. He collected the description of his archaeological discoveries in the volume Journey through all the antiquities of Sicily (1781). This passion resulted in the founding of one of the most important archaeological museums of the era, whose collections are now housed in the Castello Ursino Civic Museum in Catania.
As the historian Denis Mack Smith writes in his work “History of medieval Sicily and moderna
“The name of the Paternòs appears almost every year on the list of the city's Senators...In Catania the Prince of Biscari, of the Paternò family, by virtue of being the most eminent citizen and the chief employer, was more important than any royal judge… He not only enjoyed a reputation for being generous to his servants and peasants, but he built up one of the finest private museums in the world.… He brought in foreign artisans to encourage the linen and rum manufacturing, and on one occasion of emergency practically fed the entire city of Catania at his own expense for a month.
Villa Manganelli Biscari
Probably the surname “Manganelli” derives precisely from the textile tool, the mangle, used in the production of fibres such as silk and linen. Riding the wave of love for the ancient civilisations of the Mediterranean, illustrious foreign travellers of the eighteenth century undertook journeys to Sicily; among these was also Goethe, who visited the Biscari museum in Catania and, admiring our land and its extraordinary classical heritage, wrote:
“Italy without Sicily leaves no image in the spirit whatsoever: Sicily is the key to everything.”(Italian Journey, 1787)
emphasising that the country's essence, history and classical beauty can only be fully understood on the island, described as a unique combination of light, nature and art.
Villa Manganelli Biscari, a love story
In the rooms of the villa echoes a love story, that between the V Principe di Sperlinga e Manganelli, Giuseppe Alvaro Paternò Alliata e Angela Torresi, una viagrandese di straordinaria bellezza; i due si innamorano, lasciano i rispettivi coniugi e si rifugiano a Firenze. Rientrati da Firenze si sposano nel 1881, quando Il principe ha già assegnato all’architetto Carlo Sada l’incarico di rendere preziosa la nuova dimora della famiglia allargata, infatti ciascuno porta con sé i propri figli, undici in tutto. Viagrande, paese natio della Torresi e sito di una delle tenute più importanti dei principi, diviene la loro residenza elettiva.
The Project of Carlo Sada
Il progetto di Villa Manganelli del celebre architetto è conservato ne “I disegni del fondo Sada”, presso le Biblioteche riunite “Civica A. Ursino Recupero” di Catania. L’intervento di Carlo Sada rese preziosa la dimora di famiglia, fondendo con grande sensibilità il rigore neoclassico con eleganti richiami Liberty.
Villa Manganelli in Viagrande, as it constitutes an important example of late nineteenth-century eclectic architecture, a documented work by the architect Carlo Sada, is of particular historical, artistic and architectural interest pursuant to article 10, paragraph 3, letter a and paragraph 4, letter f, and is therefore worthy of protection (article 13 of Legislative Decree no. 42 of 22/01/2004).
Curiosità tra Storia, Arte, Cinema e Letteratura
Verga narra in una commovente novella la storia di una povera raccoglitrice di ulive di Viagrande, Nedda, la Varannisa. Villa Manganelli a Viagrande è nota anche per essere stata set del film A beautiful November (1968) by Mauro Bolognini. The protagonist of the novel The Viceroys by Federico De Roberto is inspired by the figure of Antonino Paternò Castello di Sangiuliano. In Sperlinga, one of the fiefdoms that belonged to the Paternòs, the war photographer Robert Capa captured one of the most iconic images of the days of the landing in Sicily.
The historic park of Villa Manganelli
The historic park has been the subject of study in major international conferences, including Science and Technology for the Safeguard of Cultural Heritage in the Mediterranean Basin, Istanbul, 22-25 November 2011, The Etna garden of Villa Manganelli Biscari: Knowledge, conservation and restoration.
Giardini Incantati
Viali in acciottolato bicromo, alberi secolari ed esotici
The true charm of the Villa Manganelli Biscari lies in the unique harmony between the fusion of styles and the lush greenery of the historic park. The pathways, paved with the characteristic two-tone cobblestone, are decorated with geometric and floral patterns and mythological figures. Centuries-old and exotic trees such as yuccas, palms, monkey puzzle trees, cedars and pines create a remarkably striking backdrop, evoking both interest and wonder.
Il parco della villa si snoda sinuosamente su tre terrazzamenti
Italian Garden
It features sculpted hedges, neat pathways, the exquisite fountain of Aphrodite, flowerbeds bordered with white stone kerbs, thuja, holly and pyracantha plants, and roses.
French Garden
Featuring winding cobbled pathways with elegant symbolic depictions: the joyful elephant, symbol of Catania, the god Simeto, an ornate vase of flowers and the elegant nineteenth-century gazebo.
English Garden
It hosts the stunning fountain of Galatea, the shady pergolas, an austere neoclassical marble altar and the Prince's Temple.
I diversi giardini, con oltre 100 specie botaniche, offrono contorni e squarci ideali per accogliere i solenni momenti di una cerimonia all'aperto: l'aperitivo di benvenuto, il banchetto nuziale, il taglio della torta. Vari corner per il buffet, l'open bar, l'angolo sigari e liquori e la pista da ballo completano un'esperienza scenografica e memorabile.
The Rooms of the Villa
Alternative and evocative spaces for every season.
Event Hall
Originally a wine press, this spacious hall stands out for its majestic front fireplace and evocative decorative elements: composite fountains, medieval decorations, stone grotesques, and the ivy motif as a symbol of fidelity and loyalty create a unique atmosphere, alongside the "Grotto"—an adjoining, more secluded underground natural pathway once used to entertain guests or shelter them from the summer heat, the so-called Scirocco room. The wedding banquet acquires a timeless charm here.
The Loggia
It spans two spaces: the glass-enclosed portico, ideal for buffets or open bars, and the indoor hall where the 1789 flooring of the historic residence can be admired on the walls like a tapestry—a precious testament to vintage Caltagirone majolica. A more intimate location, perfect
We look forward to welcoming you to our property
We look forward to welcoming you and getting to know you in person, answering any questions you may have and recommending the ideal solution.
