A Lavishly Restored 300-Year-Old Villa in Sicily Hits the Market for $5.6 Million

If walls could talk, this Sicilian Baroque villa would have centuries of stories to tell. Built circa 1730, the grand residence, now on the market with Italy Sotheby’s International Realty for €5.2 million (or $5.6 million), embodies the opulence of 18th-century aristocracy while offering a slate of modern comforts, thanks to extensive renovations in the 1990s.

The moment you arrive at the palatial property, Villa Maletto, as it is known, makes its intentions clear: drama and elegance reign supreme. A sweeping double flight of stairs sets the stage for the architectural marvels within. Think ornate stuccoes, regal salons, wrought-iron balustrades, and panoramic terraces that offer breathtaking views of Palermo and the verdant Piana dei Colli. And because no Baroque masterpiece is complete without a nod to the divine, a private chapel graces the estate, adding an air of spiritual grandeur.

Spanning an impressive 26,909 square feet across two levels, the villa contains 15 bedrooms, each with its own ensuite bath. A series of spacious rooms on the upper floor, the piano nobile, form a classic enfilade, while the ground floor houses an expansive reception hall and bar, seamlessly catering to grand entertaining. Elsewhere, a state-of-the-art wellness center featuring five private massage rooms, a sauna, a Turkish bath, and an invigorating ice cascade serves as a sanctuary of relaxation.

Upstairs, the stately halls, adorned with handcrafted ceramic flooring, lead to expansive terraces that extend an invitation to admire the city’s timeless beauty. The villa’s historic garden, enclosed within its original ‘Firriato’ walls, preserves a rich heritage of botanical treasures, while the surrounding three-and-a-half-acre grounds ensure ample space to roam in solitude.

Step outside, and the enchantment continues. Encompassing more than two acres of lush gardens, the stately spread comprises a botanical collection worthy of a royal conservatory. An outdoor hydromassage swimming pool serves as the perfect retreat, inviting guests to unwind amid a paradise of flora and fragrance. 

Location is yet another of the estate’s many virtues—just 10 minutes from Mondello’s famed beaches, 20 minutes from Palermo’s storied city center, and within easy reach of Falcone Borsellino International Airport. Sicily‘s real estate market has seen an increase in transactions post-pandemic thanks to foreign buyers flocking abroad, fueled by Italy’s favorable golden visa program In 2023, transactions in Palermo increased by 11.3 percent compared to 2019, according to a report from London-based real estate brokerage Savills.