Don’t Miss Our Evening Receptions in Palermo!
As part of the SMS Special Conference in Palermo, we invite you to two unforgettable evening receptions at stunning historic venues. Network with fellow attendees, enjoy the beautiful surroundings, and immerse yourself in the rich history of these iconic locations.
If you're traveling with a partner or friend who won't be attending the conference, but you would like to invite them to the Evening Receptions, click here to register your guest.
As part of the conference, we’ve partnered with City SightSeeing Palermo to provide transportation on May 21. Iconic red double-decker buses will take attendees to the Royal Gardens via a scenic tourist route showcasing Palermo’s landmarks.
While time won’t allow for a full tour on May 21, attendees can enjoy unlimited free access to all City SightSeeing routes (A, B, and V) on May 23 and 24 by simply wearing their conference badge.
The buses feature open-top and sheltered decks, with multilingual audio guides offering commentary on key sites. A map of bus stops can be found here, and additional copies will be available onboard.
Orleans Royal Gardens
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
The Orleans Royal Gardens in Palermo trace their origins to the late 15th century when merchant Onorio Garofolo acquired fertile lands in the Kemonia Valley. The estate changed hands until 1801, when Prince Giuseppe Reggio transformed it into an agricultural experimentation station. Later, Ferdinand IV of Bourbon bestowed the property as a dowry to his daughter Maria Amalia, who, after marrying Louis-Philippe, Duke of Orléans, expanded it into a vast park. In 1857, their heir Henri, Duke of Aumale, renovated the palace and established the formal Parterre—a geometrically designed garden later reinterpreted in the 1950s. Featuring Pietro Consagra’s bronze sculpture Controluceeuforico and a gardenesque area inspired by John Claudius Loudon’s style, the park now serves as an ornithological reserve hosting diverse exotic and native bird species.
Buses will begin pick-up at Piazza Castelnuovo between 6:45 PM and 7:15 PM. A light dinner will be served at the Royal Gardens from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Stay tuned for more details!
Villa Malfitano-Whitaker
Thursday, May 22, 2025
Built between 1885 and 1889 by architect Ignazio Greco for Joseph Whitaker and his wife, Tina Scalia, Villa Malfitano-Whitaker is a fine example of neoclassical architecture in Palermo. Its elegant façade features harmonious proportions and refined decorative details, creating a monumental yet balanced appearance.
The villa’s interiors preserve valuable late 19th century furnishings, including exquisite furniture, silverware, and Trapani coral collections. Highlights include 16th century Flemish tapestries depicting Aeneas’s journey, cloisonné enamel elephants from Beijing’s Imperial Palace, an 18th-century harpsichord, and Sicilian paintings.
Surrounding the villa is a magnificent botanical park, designed by Emilio Kunzmann, reflecting Whitaker’s passion for ornithology, botany, and archaeology. It hosts a diverse range of plants from Africa, Tunisia, Sumatra, Australia, and Latin America, with notable specimens like towering magnolias and the majestic Dracaena Draco, a subject of scientific study.
The Gala Dinner Reception at Villa Malfitano Whitaker will be held from 7:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Stay tuned for more details!
