Why did a young shepherd, frozen in thought, become a centerpiece of Palermo’s Botanical Garden? This, my friends, is the Statua del Paride, a marble depiction of Paris, the Trojan prince, sculpted in 1839 by Nunzio Morello. The Statua del Paride isn’t just another statue. It’s a window into 19th-century Palermo, showcasing the artistic trends of the time and the enduring power of mythology. Morello, a student of the renowned sculptor Valerio Villareale, gifted this piece to his hometown. It now stands proudly, though weathered by time, near the Serra Carolina in the Botanical Garden. The statue portrays Paris not as a prince, but as a shepherd, lost in contemplation. Morello captures the weight of the world on Paris’s young shoulders. He is grappling with the divine task assigned by Zeus: to judge which goddess – Hera, Athena, or Aphrodite – is the fairest. This very choice, as the myth tells us, sparked the Trojan War. The Statua del Paride invites us to reflect on this pivotal moment, Paris’s fateful decision, and its repercussions. The statue’s placement within the serene Botanical Garden adds another layer of meaning. Amidst the lush greenery, the Statua del Paride becomes a tranquil space for contemplation, much like Paris himself before his world-altering judgment. A closer look at the statue reveals not just artistic skill, but also the ravages of time. Exposed to the elements for almost two centuries, the marble bears the marks of weathering and biological growth. This adds a poignant dimension to the artwork, a testament to its enduring presence in Palermo’s cultural landscape.
Trulli di Barcarello
“A mini Alberobello in Palermo?” you might ask. Yes, right here in Punta Barcarello near Sferracavallo, we find the Trulli