A POSTCARD FROM MOUNT ETNA: ALFIO PUGLISI, OWNER OF PALAZZO PREVITERA
Nestled in the serene town of Linguaglossa on the northern slopes of Mount Etna, Palazzo Previtera stands as a unique fusion of luxury, art, and history. This extraordinary guesthouse, contemporary art gallery, and living museum invite travellers to experience the essence of Sicilian culture in a setting unlike any other.
After a decade-long restoration, led by Alfio Puglisi, a direct descendant of the family who originally built the Palazzo in 1649, Palazzo Previtera opened its doors to guests in 2023. The restoration preserved the palazzo’s rich history, showcasing restored silk fabrics, ornate painted ceilings, and original floor tiles, while seamlessly integrating contemporary art and mid-century design touches.
Beyond its luxurious accommodations, Palazzo Previtera offers guests a chance to explore over 500 years of Sicilian heritage through its meticulously preserved museum rooms. With his deep connection to the palazzo’s history, Alfio is always available to guide those curious about the stories and artefacts housed within these walls.
The Palazzo’s art gallery, situated in the cellar, has emerged as a premier destination for contemporary art in Sicily. Alfio curates the Sicily Artists in Residence Programme (SARP), which fosters a vibrant cultural exchange between Sicily and the international art community. Throughout the year, the palazzo hosts resident artists whose works are inspired by the island’s rich culture and the dramatic volcanic landscape of Etna, creating a dynamic dialogue between tradition and innovation.
A POSTCARD FROM MOUNT ETNA: PALAZZO PREVITERA
Palazzo Previtera has been in my family since 1649 when the Previtera family arrived in Linguaglossa as administrators for the princes of Spadafora. My grandmother Maria spent her summers here, and her younger sisters Giuseppina and Anna moved in during the 1960s. This place is home for me—where my roots are deeply planted. Restoring it has allowed me to truly appreciate my Sicilian heritage and provided a sustainable way to give back to the community of Linguaglossa.
After a decade of restoration, Palazzo Previtera finally opened its doors to guests in 2023. The process was challenging, particularly finding the right craftsmen, sourcing appropriate materials, and consolidating the foundations, as this building has stood on a lava bank since 1180. But the most rewarding aspect has been the attention we’ve received from travellers worldwide. It fills my heart with joy to meet people from all over who appreciate our efforts.
The palazzo is a blend of historical and contemporary elements, and I’ve always been interested in the idea of a place being a living social and cultural environment. Combining modern art with antiques is my way of continuing the cultural dialogue my ancestors began. I spent a lot of time doing interior design and archival research in the palazzo’s library. Old receipts for furniture guided the restoration process, helping me to preserve the original structure while making necessary adjustments for modern living.
Creating a living museum within Palazzo Previtera was also a way to honour our heritage. Most of the furniture, paintings, books, and textiles have been in my family for generations, and restoring and preserving these pieces is a privilege. When I first moved in, many items were in poor condition or stored improperly, so I had to decide what to restore first. I selected contemporary design and art for the bedrooms and the cottages scattered in the gardens, and I’ve been fascinated by the stories these items carry. I even restored some old chests of drawers, transforming them into marble kitchens for the cottages.
Culture and artistic exploration have always been important to me, so I created the Sicily Artists in Residence Programme (SARP) to contribute to the cultural dialogue in Sicily and the Mediterranean. I’m particularly interested in how artists document changing landscapes, and Mount Etna, with its ever-shifting volcanic flows, provides the perfect backdrop for this. For example, Ben Cullen Williams studied Etna’s unique form, using natural pigments to mirror the earth’s crust and magma in his work, creating a powerful reflection of this natural wonder.
Balancing my roles as curator, historian, and host has been a challenging but rewarding journey. I enjoy multitasking, and with a small team, you have to wear many hats. Today, I’m fortunate to work alongside curators Dr Annamaria Ferrara and Dr Costanza Calì, who help develop each cultural residency program, write exhibition texts, and organize guided tours for visitors and guests.
Food is at the heart of life at the Palazzo. We often have chefs in residence who contribute to the vibrancy of this place. We recently hosted the Etna wild food experience with chefs Ben Tish from London and Accursio Craparo from Modica. They led walking tours of the fish market in Catania, foraging trips on our farms on Etna, and visits to local wineries. Each experience helps guests connect with local culture and reflect on the sustainability of our agricultural practices.
Linguaglossa, where the palazzo is situated, has thankfully remained untouched by mass tourism. The town has a strong local community, with woodworkers and ironmongers preserving old building traditions, alongside a small international community that started moving here about 20 years ago. The landscape remains pristine, and if you’re seeking more cosmopolitan vibes, Taormina is just 25 minutes away.
Every morning, when the staff arrives, we open the shutters of the grand terrace to assess the white or grey smoke of Etna—a simple action that sets the tone for the day. Etna is a unique force of life, inspiring everything from food to contemporary art and shaping the agricultural activities that define life here.
Looking ahead, we’ve recently launched an online shop dedicated to preserving local culture and traditions. Our new tablecloth collection pays homage to Sicilian craftsmanship and embroidery. SARP has also launched a podcast about Art Destinations, where we discuss the notion of place with artists, curators, architects, and creatives, exploring how it connects with local culture.
Photo by Riley Clements
Finally, if I were to send you a postcard from Mount Etna, I’d be thrilled to share a recent photograph of Etna captured by London-based photographer Riley Clements. He was in Linguaglossa during a recent volcanic event and managed to capture Etna’s eruptions from the gardens of Palazzo Previtera.
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