Donna Lia Bagheria - Tourist Tips
Holiday House

Tourist tips from the host

Could you recommend sites and monuments that tourists should visit in the town of Bagheria.

the classics visit are:
1 - tour of baroques villas
2 - nature trail
3 - eno- gastronomic tasting
4 - museum

Could you recommend less renowned places, in the town of Bagheria and in its surroundings?

path cine - tourist or visiting the places where scenes were shot for the film - blockbuster director BAARIA bagherese Giuseppe Tornatore.
for the uninitiated BAARIA is the dialect name of Bagheria. I Council to view it before to arrive in Bagheria. then I can accompany evribody free in the places of the scenes, the sets. Some of the team members here have stayed at Donna Lia during the shoot as well as Manuela VILLA, daughter of the great singer Claudio VILLA.

Which is the most suitable means of transport to travel in the town of Bagheria and surrounding areas?.

to get around the city the most convenient way is by bicycle, moped or car. Nearby the train. It allows you to get to Palermo, Cefalu, Messina. For direction Catania and Trapani is the most convenient for the bus that leaves from Palermo.

Make a list of recommended restaurants, traditional trattorie, cake's shops and bars.

Trattoria " ZZA Maria" the oldest inn and Don Ciccio, typical Sicilian food. pizzeria bistro Mata Hari, The plow. Bar: Chioschetto Don Gino, Bar Don Carmelo, Ester bar, bar Don Gino, La caravella, Muster Cafe, Sam. Restaurant -Pizzeria: Sibà, I Pupi, Rodeo, Baron Munchehousen, Pivo. Enoteca: Sikelia, Quattrociocchi, LA BITTA...

Imagine you are planning a day trip for your guests to fully enjoy the beauties of your area, from breakfast till late.

breakfast should be made to the Don Gino kiosk or at the Bar Ester on Course. For a more European breakfast Bar Sam. The morning may be committed by visiting the villa of monsters, Palagonia Villa, Palazzo Butera, palazzo Larderia, the three eighteenth-century churches. All are within walking distance. The lunch should be done by the " Zza Maria" or Don Ciccio (typical Sicilian food at a good price). In the afternoon you can choose between the reserve of Monte Catalfano or the sea of ASPRA or Mongerbino, or the museum R. Guttuso. in the evening you can make shopping in the pedestrian area of Corso Umberto I, enjoy the excellent ice cream kiosk Don Gino 's bar or Esther. You can have dinner with great pizza o focaccia con ricotta All'Antica focacceria di piazza Sepolcro or pizzeria l'Aratro. After dinner you can choose to drink fine wines or drinks at Sikelia, the cleat until late at night or on the move near the seafront in Aspra or Sant'Elia. Enjoy a good movie in theaters near Donna Lia (cinema Execelsior, 15 mt, Multiplex super Cinem a, 150 mt), etc....

Could you recommend shops in Bagheria where guests can buy traditional products, such as renowned wines or other typical gifts?

Maurizio Scianna Pottery, painting ceramics, perfect reproductions of the eighteenth century baroque.
Laura Buzzetta objects in Sicilian majolica. Mirella Pipia objects in Sicilian majolica. Both decorate by hand.
For wine we recommend Enoteca Sikelia.

What are the origins of the town of Bagheria.

Bagheria was founded in 1657 with the construction of Palazzo Butera. recently restored. Prince Branciforte there is retiring after a strong political disappointment attested by an inscription carved into the entrance tower where you can still read " O CORT ES ADIOS ".
After all the nobility of the island compete to build the most beautiful villa. The Sicilian Baroque knows one of the greatest performances and are still present in the area more than 12 villas all built in limestone sandstone. Among them Palazzo Butera with the Charterhouse and the Theatre, Palazzo Cutò, Villa Cattolica are the property of the City of Bagheria.

Could you give a brief account of the history of the town of Bagheria.

Bagheria has always been a resort area for the Sicilian nobles. The most important characteristic is given by the Villa of Monsters, Villa Palagonia. Known throughout the world and it was visited by Goethe, LORD BYRON. Bagheria recently enjoyed a mega spot given by the dERECTOR, FILM MAKER, Giuseppe Tornatore with BAARIA FILM

>Which is the most traditional food in Bagheria? What are the traditional foods of Christmas, Easter and Carnival?.

the typical food is sfincione alla bagherese, different than Palermo and prepared just for the christmas holiday. The sandwich with panelle, fried small squares, made ??with chickpea flour, water and salt. In addition to the feast of the patron saint you make " sfincie of St. Joseph " fried with sweet ricotta.

Which main events and celebrations take place in Bagheria? (for example a patron saint celebration).

Feast of St. Joseph, March 19. During Easter's procession. December 8 Feast of the Immaculate. Events and concerts are often held in the public houses (Palazzo Butera, Palazzo Cutò) during Christmas Holiday and in the Spring and in the Summer.

What happens in Bagheria on days of celebration? Are there any particolar customs?

In the occasion of the feast of the patron, saint Giuseppe, on the night between 18 and 19 March are burned piles of wood, old furniture, branches and propitiatory sign of thanks: The big bonfire flames or better VAMPE. then for the sacred festivals, there are processions with the wooden statues of the Immaculate Conception, St. Joseph, Our Lady of Sorrows and the Dead Christ.

Do you know any old stories about Bagheria or the personages who lived there?

The legend that circulates is linked to the alleged madness of the Prince of Villa Palagonia. A Baroque villa surrounded by statues of monsters. has a big hall with a roof covered BY painted mirrors. Those who came inside had a multiplier effect of their image and losing all sense of direction.

What is the best time to visit Bagheria during the year? Why?

The most beautiful periods are from December 8 to January 7th why we organize events almost always level and often free. so also at Easter. But to enjoy the outdoors, art, food, perfumes, already in February you can choose to stay with no problems. it's wonderfull during the summer. the relatively rainy period is January, but not so much as to prevent the stay.

Do you know stories about the historic palaces in Bagheria and the personages who lived there?

One of the secrets is the attribution of the madness of the Prince of Palagonia. his villa is surrounded by statues deformed, half human-like, half of the animals, chimeras. In fact we think he wanted to represent that in every human being there is a monster inside. Villa Valguarnera holds a beautiful park, it seems to be a reserve in the WWF. There is the Hillock, apparently the first astronomical observatory in Europe.
There are underground tunnels carved into the sandstone limestone that connect alls the villas to the port, now disused, the Solanto Castle, ex former tuna.

Do any famous celebrities spend their holidays in Bagheria?

Giuseppe Tornatore, director. film-maker.
Ferdinando Scianna, photographer.
Francesco Alliata, one of the founders of the Panaria Film, Prince of VALGUARNERA. Inside the villa there and the archive of Panaria film.

Do any famous personages originate from Bagheria?

Ignazio Buttitta famous Sicilian dialect poet who wrote and thought most of his poems in the house on Via Paterno (adjacent to the property Donna Lia), and the restaurant ZZA MAria. it could be classified as literary café. The Futurist poet James Giardina. Renato GUTTUSO, a painter who has donated paintings to the museum of Villa Cattolica.
Brothers DUCATO, decorators carts.
Arrigo Musti, contemporary painter. Joseph Cirincione, ophthalmologist who treated Gabriele D' Annunzio. Photographer Ferdinando Scianna. Oscar-winning director Giuseppe Tornatore.

Is there literature related to Bagheria? Books, guides, maps?

"Bagheria" written by Dacia Maraini and countless books on the history of Professor Antonino Morreale.

Can you describe a strong and a weak point of the people from Bagheria?

Advantage: after knowing.... the reception.
Default: mistrust.

Events, Festivals and Concerts in Bagheria.

On March 02, 2014 for carnival parade ancient Sicilian carts brothers Duchy harnessed horses, interspersed with dances dancers schools Bagheria.
On 21 and 23 March 2014 for the week of FAI will take place in Villa Palagonia representation of Goethe 's visit with high school actors in costume who will recite an imaginary DIALOGUE.
On 12 and 13 April we are arranging a floral display along the course Butera.

Other informations?

The Garden of Villa San Cataldo, a unique example of baroque garden with equipment intact. There are citrus trees. The architecture hides numerous esoteric meanings.
The underground tunnels that connect the villas with the ancient port of Solanto, the former falling in the trap near the town of Santa Flavia where it says a ship was ready to sail in case of invasion.
The Arco Azzurro, a bridge of rock excavated from the sea, known to most people for the advertising image of Baci Perugina.