Il Palazzo takes its name from Guglielmo Ajutamicristo, baron of Misilmeri and Calatafimi, who had it built for his family between 1495 and 1501. He, a banker of Pisan origin, who had become wealthy over a few decades through the trade of Sicilian cheeses and cereals, tired of living in the Arab castle of Misilmeri, had long desired to create a “domus magna” in the capital that could well represent his wealth and serve as an ornament and decoration to the city itself. The opportunity was offered to him by the arrival in Palermo of the famous architect Matteo Carnilivari (already the author of Palazzo Abatellis, today the Regional Gallery of Sicily), to whom he entrusted the construction of his palace on the road of Porta Termini. But, due to excessive expense, the palace was only partly completed, modifying the grand plans established at the beginning. At that time, the historic palace was the preferred residence of illustrious guests. In 1500 it hosted Queen Joanna, wife of King Don Ferrante of Naples; in 1535 Emperor Charles V stayed there, unable to lodge in the Royal Palace which was not suitable for his magnificence; in 1544 Muley Hassan, King of Tunis, resided there shortly before being blinded by his son Ajaja; in 1576 Don Giovanni d’Austria, brother of King Philip II and victor of the Battle of Lepanto in which the admiral Marcantonio Calefati with the Pisan fleet also took part, was received there. In 1588 Margherita Ajutamicristo granted the palace to Francesco Moncada, first prince of Paternò, for an annual rent of 390 onze, a concession which soon turned into ownership. In the 19th century the Moncadas sold the Palace to the Calefati di Canalotti and Tasca d’Almerita families; to this day the Calefati family holds their part of ownership, while the other half was purchased by the Sicilian Region and will soon house the Superintendency for Cultural Heritage. The works, supervised by architect Lina Bellanca, head of the office, were commissioned by the superintendency and lasted about three years. The goal was to preserve, where possible, the original state both of the fifteenth-century structure, repeatedly revised over the centuries by the owners (Aiutamicristo, Moncada, Tasca, Canalotti), the Sicilian maiolica flooring, part of the frescoes found on the walls, which will initially be protected by a layer of plasterboard, and the splendid wooden vaults. The garden facing the entrance of the Martorana carriage collection museum on the ground floor is nearing completion.
Information about Palazzo Ajutamicristo
Via G. Garibaldi, 23
Palermo (Palermo)
+39.091.6161894
info@palazzoajutamicristo.it
https://palazzoajutamicristo.it
Source: MIBACT
