Borgo Parrini, one of the most colorful villages in Italy
Colorful houses, frescoes, ceramics and quotes on the walls. Welcome to the picturesque village of Borgo Parrini in Sicily, a small hamlet of Partinico a few kilometers from Palermo, whose atmosphere evokes the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. A magical place, considered one of the most colorful villages in Italy, nicknamed the “Barcelona of Palermo” and attracting thousands of visitors every day.
Borgo Parrini, a colorful village just a few kilometers from Palermo. Photo Alia Puppela
history and rebirth
The village of Borgo Parrini was founded by Jesuits between the 16th and 17th centuries, giving it its name – in Sicilian, parrini means ‘the priests’. These had acquired agricultural land near the town of Partinico. At the beginning of the 18th century the Jesuits built a small church dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary, around which the small village then developed. After the suppression of the Jesuits in 1767, the village passed into the hands of Henri d’Orléans, Duke of Aumale. After the Second World War, Borgo Parrini began to lose its inhabitants, who left the region to move to the big cities in search of work, leaving the village abandoned for several decades. Some time ago, thanks to the will of Giuseppe Gaglio, a local entrepreneur with a passion for art, the village revived and revived the small town, transforming it into a living tribute to the work of architect Antoni Gaudí. The colors of the houses form so many chromatic memories of the sky, the sun, the sea and the blinding light of the salt marshes.
visit to the church
We recommend that you start your visit from the small parish church of Maria Santissima del Rosario, in the heart of the village. The church consists of a simple rectangular nave with a beautiful wooden frame and gabled roof over it, while the walls are almost entirely bare. The treasure of the place is a magnificent 17th-century oil painting depicting the Madonna. The facade of the church is characterized by its threshold framed by two columns surmounted by a tympanum decorated with a window. Next to it is the church tower, whitewashed in creamy yellow.
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On the walls, quotes from famous men, poets, artists and writers such as Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Frida Khalo, Antoni Gaudí and Paulo Coelho speak to us of love and peace. Photo Alia Puppela
Then stroll through the alleys and admire the frescoes inspired by Frida Kahlo. On the walls, quotes from famous men, poets, artists and writers such as Gandhi, Nelson Mandela, Frida Khalo, Antoni Gaudí and Paulo Coelho evoke love and peace.
The Onirico Museum
The Museo Onirico “Siculo Europeo” is a place where daydreaming and fantasy mix. The rooms present works by Loris Panzavecchia and Maria Fratrusco, which pay homage to Marc Chagall and Claude Monet. An exhibition is also dedicated to the creations of the Sicilian doll maker (known as “Puparo”) Vincenzo Garifo de Partinico, while the Room of Dreams houses decorations and paintings by Flippo Grillo. In this project that aims to immerse us in the world of dreams, each piece offers an explosion of colors and invites us to leave reality behind and immediately immerse ourselves in daydreams.
Stop at one of the colorful houses
For the very curious there is the possibility to visit one of the four completely renovated small houses. Inside you will find traditional Sicilian items such as Sicilian dolls, basketwork and pottery in a setting that brings the past to life. An authentic atmosphere where you will immerse yourself in Sicilian traditions.
The small colorful houses are inspired by Gaudí’s architecture thanks to the work of a local entrepreneur. Photo Alia Puppela
A Sicilian break
For a gourmet break we recommend U Vota e Sbota in Stidda, an authentic and welcoming place where you can taste typical specialties of the region, in particular “Vota e Sbota”, a traditional brioche bread baked in a wood oven and with different Garnished with ingredients of your choice – we recommend the tomato and onion combination. In the main square you will also find the Pizzeria La Borgatella or Nu Parrinaru, with a large terrace where you can enjoy pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven and typical local products.
A magical atmosphere inspired by the architecture of Antoni Gaudí. Photo Alia Puppela
The cultural center
Finally, make a stop at the Caffè Letterario, a cultural center that organizes events, debates and conferences throughout the year thanks to the association “I campanili a Borgo Parrini”, which aims to promote and promote local culture .
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The article was originally published on the AD Italy website.