The Florio Family in Palermo

There was a time in Palermo when a single name was enough to evoke luxury, vision, enterprise, and power. That name was Florio. A family who, arriving from Calabria in the early 1800s, transformed a land of contrasts into an international stage of modernity, art, and progress.

The Golden Age of the Florios: Palermo, Capital of the Mediterranean

Between the mid-19th century and the early 20th century, thanks to the ingenuity and vision of figures like Vincenzo Florio Senior, Ignazio Florio, and the unforgettable Donna Franca Florio, Palermo experienced its own Belle Époque.

The Florios were pioneers in every field:

• In industry, with tuna fisheries and canned goods (including the legendary “Florio tin”) and the transformation of Favignana island into a cutting-edge industrial hub;

• In maritime trade, by founding the largest private shipping company in the Mediterranean: the Florio-Rubattino;

• In art and culture, by sponsoring events and artists, and turning Palermo into a meeting point for European aristocracy and intellectuals.

Donna Franca Florio: The Elegant Face of Palermo

It’s impossible to talk about the Florios without mentioning Donna Franca, the "Queen of Sicily". Muse to some of the greatest painters of the era (such as Giovanni Boldini), she was a leading figure in international salons, a friend of D’Annunzio, and adored by both the Kaiser and the Tsar. Through her, Palermo revealed itself to the world with grace, charm, and mystery.

What They Left Behind

Today, the Florio name still echoes in the city’s palaces, in stories passed down through generations, in the Egadi Islands, in books, and on theatre stages. Here are just a few of their most visible legacies:

• Palazzo Florio in Favignana and Villa Florio in Palermo (Arenella): architectural testaments to an age of splendor;

• Villino Florio in Olivuzza: a jewel of Palermo's Liberty style;

• The myth of the Targa Florio, one of the world’s first car races, still celebrated today;

• A new generation of enthusiasts and entrepreneurs rediscovering the Florio legacy through cultural, literary, and tourist experiences.

Refinement and Style: Staying at Palazzo Liberty Unique Hotel

The Florios didn’t just leave behind buildings and industries — they left a vision of Sicily: a land that could be modern, international, cultured, and refined. Even though their empire collapsed in the 20th century, their spirit still inspires.

Those who admire the Florios will be captivated by Palazzo Liberty Unique Hotel. Staying at this hotel, in the vibrant heart of Palermo, means sharing with the Florios a common soul — a timeless style defined by elegance, sophistication, and visionary flair.
It is a tribute to Palermo’s Belle Époque, where every detail tells the story of an era full of beauty, character, and charm.