Branciforte Palace (Palazzo Branciforte) Tours and Activities

Having reopened in 2012, the 16th-century Branciforte Palace (Palazzo Branciforte) underwent a dramatic makeover courtesy of Italian architect and designer Gae Aulenti. Transformed from a lavish historic residence into a cultural center and museum of art and history, the palace is equally renowned for its impressively restored architecture as it is for its fascinating exhibitions.

Visitors can admire the vast archaeological collection, which includes exquisite frescoes, ancient coins, fine sculptures, and majolica ceramics; browse the a huge historical library, home to over 40,000 books; attend a cooking class at the Gambero Rosso cooking school; or marvel at the beautifully preserved wooden architecture of the Monte di Santa Rosalia, where temporary art exhibitions are held.