The Speciale di Mallia family
The Speciale di Mallia family is one of the 24 baronial stocks that gave Nicosia its identity and the epithet “City of the 24 Barons”. The 24 noble families influenced the architectural, civil and religious choices of the town for centuries, and today their palaces remain the most significant civil monuments of the historic centre.
The palace
The Palazzo Speciale di Mallia is one of the best-documented residences in the Nicosian centre. It retains several original architectural elements from the 18th century: local-stone portals, inner courtyard, noble rooms on two floors.
The building is an example of baronial architecture typical of the Sicilian inland: massive, sober on the outside, richly decorated in the interior representational spaces.
Heritage in study
Detailed information on the exact construction date, on the architects involved and on the historical events of the Speciale di Mallia family is being consolidated with the municipal historical archive and the Cultural Heritage Superintendence of Enna. Vivi Nicosia updates this entry as archival research progresses.
To visit
- By appointment: the palace is a property that can be visited by prior arrangement. Contact the Municipal Tourism Office of Nicosia to organise access.
- Exterior: the façade and portal are visible from the street along the historic-centre walking tour route (see experience).
- Location: at the heart of the historic centre’s urban fabric, near the Cathedral and Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore.
See together
For those interested in Nicosia’s baronial architecture, the visit combines well with: