Palazzo Ciaccio
The Florentine renaissance inspiration
The project was entrusted to architect Sebastiano Bilà of Menfi, who would draw inspiration from Florentine Renaissance palaces. The masonry is organized into three orders, with a smooth rustication that becomes more rugged as one moves from the first to the last order. The monumental palace, one of the best-preserved in all of Sambuca, overlooks three streets and is characterized by the warm hues of the stone, the harmony of its lines, and the balance of its components. The red sandstone—sourced along with white stone from local quarries—contrasts with the five balconies supported by carved brackets with anthropomorphic figures. The square-plan layout revolves around a central courtyard, with part of the residence's rooms overlooking it. The portico, featuring three Ionic columns on each side, is accessed through an entrance arch aligned with the façade, and flanked by side niches meant to house statues. The original design, rich in stucco decorations, was never completed.
A need for grandeur
In the mid-19th century, the rise of a new bourgeoisie compelled many families to align with the trends of the time by building a residence that matched their newly achieved economic and social status. This was also the case for the Ciaccio family, who purchased several houses midway along the corso—then known as "Strata Granni"—to build a new palace worthy of the patron's name.
Ciaccio Palace
On Corso Umberto I, directly opposite the left side of the Church of the Carmine, stands the imposing Palazzo of the Ciaccio family. It is a massive building constructed at the end of the 19th century in Florentine Renaissance style by Cav. Antonino Ciaccio, the financier and owner, who likely also participated in the design and supervision of the construction. Today, it is a private residence.
