When the weather is nice, spending time in a park is one of our favorite plans. Strolling under the trees or sitting on a bench in the sun while reading or having lunch feels like a true luxury in the center of Palermo. In the English Garden (Giardino Inglese), there is a pond adorned with statues that particularly catches our eye. In that moment, it transforms into a dreamlike place, allowing us to step back in time. It is our favorite spot in the park.
Designed in 1851 by the architect Giovan Battista Filippo Basile, the English Garden is located at the end of Palermo’s prestigious Via della Libertà. It is a magnificent example of a Romantic park. With its winding paths, artificial ponds, neoclassical temples, and a rich variety of exotic species, it represents one of the most important historic green spaces in the city. It is a symbol of “Palermo Liberty” (Art Nouveau) and the golden age of the Florio family, when Palermo was one of the most modern capitals in Europe.
In the past, the garden was famous for its wildlife. Peacocks roamed free, and at one point, there was even a small zoo with deer. Today, it is more common to see children on the historic carousel, which is one of the oldest in the city.
