Palazzo Siciliani
(19th century)
On entering Piazza Vittorio Emanuele from Corso Principe Amedeo, ones gaze is immediately captured by the majesty of Palazzo Siciliani. The elegant neoclassical façade of the building stands as a backdrop transporting visitors into the past. Every corner of the palace is distinguished by its refined and cultured taste. The neoclassical style is a vivid reminder of the past.
Inside the palace, a small palatine style chapel adds further charm to the building. Visible from the square thanks to its small dome, the chapel is a place of beauty and devotion. At the entrance, visitors are welcomed by an atmosphere of serene contemplation while the iconography of the Holy Trinity in the apse and the image of Our Lady of Tenderness on the altar enrich the beauty of the place. This holy place of worship bore witness to significant events in local and ecclesiastical history. In a year between 1887 and 1897, Monsignor Giacomo Della Chiesa celebrated Holy Mass in this chapel. At the time, Della Chiesa was a prelate, unaware that just a few years later in 1914 he was to become Pope Benedict XV.
A curious architectural detail of this magnificent palace is the long stairway which leads to the upper floors. The steps are remarkably low and wide for practical rather than aesthetic reasons, because they allowed the Marquis of Rende to ride his horse up to his private apartments.
Palazzo Siciliani with its rich history, its simple neoclassical nobility and unique architectural details is a reminder of a fascinating past and a piece of cultural heritage which continues to enchant and inspire.
