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.
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!
