La Palazzina Cinese - The Chinese Mansion
Sicily
Catch a cab to Mondello (10 min drive), have some fresh seafood and relac the rest of the day at the fabulous beach - or go windsurfing....
The Chinese Mansion was built in 1799 and commissioned by Ferdinand IV of Bourbon. The central body ends at the top with a pagoda roof, supported by an octagonal drum. On the ground floor you will find arcades with pointed archs and at the two sides there are towers with spiral staircases.
The apartments are spread over three floors. In the basement are the ballroom and the hall of audience, all decorated by Velasquez. At the first floor are the reception room with fabric panels, the dining room with the ingenious 'math-table'of Marvuglia and the bedroom of the King with the ceiling painted in Chinese style by Cowards and Velasquez .
On the second floor was the apartment of Queen Maria Carolina. On the top level is a large octagonal pagoda-terrace.
Entrance: free (Feb 2014) - entrance fee is planned, so call before you visit
