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Ignazio Mormino Art and Archaeology Museum: A Sicilian Treasure Trove

Explore Sicilian art and archaeology in a neoclassical villa on Palermo's elegant Via della Libertà. A journey through the island's rich heritage.

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Housed in the 18th-century Villa Zito on Via della Libertà, the Ignazio Mormino Art and Archaeology Museum showcases a diverse collection of Sicilian art and artifacts, from ancient Greek pottery to modern paintings, offering a glimpse into the island's rich cultural heritage.

A brief summary to Ignazio Mormino Art and Archaeology Museum

  • Thursday 10 am-8 pm
  • Friday 10 am-8 pm
  • Saturday 10 am-8 pm
  • Sunday 10 am-8 pm

Local tips

  • Check the museum's website for temporary exhibitions, which often showcase local artists and add a unique dimension to the visit.
  • Allow at least 1.5 to 2 hours to fully appreciate the diverse collections, from ancient artifacts to modern paintings.
  • Combine your visit with a stroll through the nearby English Garden or a coffee break at a café on Via della Libertà.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From Piazza Politeama, walk east along Via della Libertà for approximately 15 minutes. The museum (Villa Zito) will be on your right, just before Piazza Alberigo Gentili. No costs involved.

  • Public Transport

    Take bus lines 101, 102, 106, or N1 to the 'Pasquale Calvi' stop, which is a 2-minute walk from the museum. A single ticket costs €1.40 and is valid for 90 minutes.

  • Taxi

    Taxis are readily available throughout Palermo. A taxi from Palermo Centrale Station to the museum takes approximately 10-15 minutes and costs around €12-€15. Note that fares may vary depending on traffic and time of day.

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Discover more about Ignazio Mormino Art and Archaeology Museum

The Ignazio Mormino Art and Archaeology Museum, located in Palermo's elegant Via della Libertà, is a cultural gem housed within the neoclassical Villa Zito. Originally an aristocratic country house built in 1761, the villa itself is a piece of history. The museum's collection, owned by the Banco di Sicilia Foundation, offers a comprehensive overview of Sicilian art and history from prehistoric times to the 20th century. The archaeological section features over 4,751 relics, primarily from western Sicily, with the oldest dating back to the 7th century BCE. Visitors can admire valuable Greek pottery, including specimens from Sicilian colonies, Corinthian styles, and pieces from Attica, demonstrating the island's extensive trade connections. The numismatic section displays Sicilian coins from the Byzantine period to the 19th century. The picture gallery showcases mainly modern Sicilian paintings from the 19th and early 20th centuries, including landscapes by Francesco Lo Jacono and Antonino Leto, and sketches for Villa Igea's decorations by Ettore Maria Bergler. Three canvases by Giovanni Fattori, a painter from the Macchiaioli movement, are also on display. The museum also features philatelic and ceramic collections, including majolica from Sicily, Faenza, and Venice dating from the 15th to 19th centuries. In 2009, the museum's collection was enriched by a donation of a hundred works of art from the Cuccio-Alesi collection, including pieces by Boldini, Zandomeneghi, and De Nittis. The museum also has a photo library and a library.

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