Could you imagine Palermo without Pallavicino? This vibrant neighborhood tells a tale of transformation. Pallavicino stands as the twenty-third district of Palermo. It is part of the VII administrative division.
Pallavicino’s story starts in the Piana dei Colli. This is at the foot of Monte Pellegrino. It is in the northern part of the city. Until the mid-20th century the area was mostly vineyards. The residential area had tree-lined compartments. This layout followed an Anglo-Saxon urban plan.
Do you see how the area was once rich in water and vegetation? The Favorita Park and noble villas still show this. They were built between the 17th and 19th centuries. Much of the greenery disappeared due to building development in the 1960s. This event is known as the “sacco di Palermo”. It caused significant loss of historical green space. It also marred the villages within the plain.
The name Pallavicino comes from the 17th-century villa. It belonged to the Pallavicino family. This was an old feudal family from Genoa. They were financiers who came to Palermo around 1637. They gained control of the Egadi islands from King Philip IV of Spain.
Pallavicino is one of the villages that grew outside the old city walls. Aristocrats became interested in the area in the late 17th century. In the 18th century Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies built a residence here. It was called Palazzina Cinese because of its oriental style.
Pallavicino was originally designed as a garden city. But this design was lost due to the “sacco di Palermo”. Despite this the area still has important architectural landmarks. In the early 1950s Pallavicino added the Villaggio Ruffini. This was a public housing project near viale della Resurrezione. Cardinal Ernesto Ruffini started it to help those affected by World War II. The village housed former residents from various damaged areas of Palermo.
Notice Piazza Pallavicino. Several roads connect here linking the district to Mondello. They also connect to Piazza Leoni and Fondo Patti. Viale della Resurrezione is a major road. It connects Pallavicino to Resuttana-San Lorenzo.
Pallavicino is a testament to Palermo’s ever-changing story. It blends noble origins with modern life. It shows resilience amidst urban transformation. Today Pallavicino faces modern challenges. Yet it holds onto its rich history.